The Milwaukee Brewers have been fairly quiet this offseason since swapping Devin Williams for the Yankees’ Nestor Cortes, but as the pool of available replacement relievers evaporates in free agency and the trade market, the team has been linked to a veteran arm with a career 2.91 ERA, per sports news outlet Motorciclismo. A setup man last year for the Rangers, David Robertson demonstrated that he still has plenty of juice in his right arm, whiffing 99 in 72 innings while posting an ERA of 3.00.
With Trevor McGill solidified in the closer’s role, Milwaukee retains a solid pen despite Williams’ departure, but they are also relying on strong repeat performances from relative unknowns such as Bryan Hudson, Jared Koenig, and Elvis Peguero. Robertson is a veteran’s veteran and the Brewers could use some stability.
They aren’t the only team targeting him, however. Division rival Chicago, where Robertson pitched 9th innings in 2022 before being traded mid-season, is also among his suitors. If the Brewers want him, they may have to act fast.
Chicago Cubs Among Players in an Active Market
Other teams have been busy bolstering their bullpens. The Cubs have already added ex-Astros closer Ryan Pressly, the Royals nabbed Carlos Estevez, who saved 26 games for the Angels and Phillies last season, and the Reds traded for Giants lefty Taylor Rogers, owner of a career-best 2.40 ERA in 2024.
Part of Robertson’s appeal for the Brewers is his relatively cheap price tag along with a reliable track record. In his 16 big league seasons, his rookie campaign is the only healthy season in which his ERA has exceeded 3.82–the only other time it has been higher than 3.47.
Texas paid him $11.5 million on a one-year deal in 2024, but he could be available for less than that based on his market value of $7.1 M. Bleacher Nation’s Brett Hoyer estimates his salary will fall between $8M and $12M.
David Robertson A Welcome Anchor in Milwaukee Brewers Bullpen
Robertson would be a reassuring addition to a Brewers bullpen that can boast no sure things aside from McGill and Joel Payamps. Koenig and Peguero both have career ERAs over a run higher than their marks last season. Peguero limited the damage to 2.98 earned runs per nine despite a dangerously elevated 1.54 WHIP, suggesting at least partly artificial success. Although he worked 51 1/3 innings last season, FanGraphs does not project him as a member of the bullpen in 2025.
Koenig is a 31-year-old late bloomer who posted a 5.72 ERA as an A’s rookie in 2023. Hudson was also an older de facto rookie, a prototype that is more common in the bullpen but prone to volatility. Take nothing away from his sparkling 1.73 ERA in 2024, his microscopic .144 batting average against on balls in play suggests not only pinpoint pitching but also high potential for regression, especially given the small sample size (hitters logged 208 at bats against Koenig).
Whether Robertson or someone else, the Brewers could use a stabilizing piece in the pen even though, aside from Williams, they haven’t lost any key relievers out of group whose 3.11 ERA last season ranked second in baseball. As they say, don’t rest on your laurels. It has been an uneventful offseason for GM Matt Arnold, but hopefully he can bring himself to make a minor move like this that could yield major roster impact.
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