Last-minute detail shows why Rangers likely stayed away from David Robertson

Assuming the Texas Rangers plan to stay in the playoff hunt to the bitter end, they'll need bullpen help to do it. Until Sunday, David Robertson was just sitting out there, offering up said bullpen help for anyone willing to pay. So why didn't Chris Young go after a player that seemed like a no-brainer just a few weeks ago? There are some very good reasons.

Robertson has sat out most of the season, apparently just watching his value to contenders increase by the minute. On Saturday, he threw for those contenders, and on Sunday, he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Texas Rangers decision to pass on David Robertson explained

The first reaction from plenty of Texas Rangers fans were outrage that Young didn't make Robertson a priority, considering how well he pitched for the team in 2024. However, it's starting to look like Young made the right decision and that Robertson simply isn't a fit for this squad.

First of all, Robertson will need to ramp up. He's not going to be ready right away and might need to OK a visit to Triple-A in order to start facing live batters.

With just 62 games to go in the Rangers' season as of today, every single day of delay lowers the reliever's value. That it might be a week or more before Roberston is pitching in the Bigs, makes the price tag of $6 million outlandish.

Like it or not, the Rangers have to operate on a budget and that contract would blow a hole in it. And it would blow a hole in it for a pitcher that for now, is showing an extreme drop in velocity.

Reports from Robertson's throwing session this weekend say his pitches were topping out at 91 MPH and was routinely around 88 MPH. That detail is likely why he'll need a ramp up. But what if that's just what he tops out at? What if that's why he's been a free agent all season?

It's not a small drop considering that Robertson regularly nearly touched 95 and averaged just over 93 in 2024. Likewise his top speed averaged 93 in 2023. If the pitcher is seeing that big a drop in his velocity, he becomes less valuable.

That the Texas Rangers apparently had no interest in David Robertson could be due to numerous factors but for now, until he goes out and lights it up for the Phillies, it looks like the correct decision to stay away.