2023 Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Player Spotlight: David Robertson and the Future of the New York Mets Bullpen
With Edwin Diaz’s 2023 season ending before it even began if tomorrow was baseball’s Opening Day, David Robertson would likely be the Mets’ closer and primary option for ninth inning saves.
As we’re sure you’re aware, Diaz tore his right patellar tendon while celebrating a Puerto Rican team win in the World Baseball Classic and had season ending surgery to repair the tear on Thursday. We wish Diaz the best in his recovery, but as the next man up it’s up to Robertson to fill that gaping hole in the Mets’ bullpen.
It's been a long road back to fantasy relevancy for Robertson, who’ll turn 38 years old in April. He’s no stranger to having to fill big shoes. Robertson became the Yankees’ closer, inheriting the job from legendary Mariano Rivera who retired after the 2013 season, and recorded 39 saves in his first year on the job. He was one of baseball's best closers from 2014-2018, saving 129 games and pitching to a 2.99 ERA and 1.043 WHIP. Unfortunately, Robertson underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2019 season and was out of baseball until the 2021 season. Beginning in July of that year he pitched for the independent league High Point Rockers, won a silver medal while pitching for the U.S. Olympic team and in September he finally made it back to the bigs, pitching for the Rays.
Robertson pitched for the Cubs and Phillies last season, compiling a 2.40 ERA while saving 20 games. His overall 4.9 BB/9 was a bit high, but his extremely reasonable 5.5 Hit/9 rate helped him maintain an above average 1.162 WHIP. The average velocity of his cutter (93 mph) was the highest of his career and while all three of his offerings were impressive, his curveball stood out with its .097 BAA and 44.4 Whiff%. As Casey Kasem (Google him) used to say Robertson is really moving up the charts! According to the NFBC, Robertson’s ADP between February 1st and March 15th was 583. His ADP for March 16th was 182, meaning that he was being selected in the 16th round of a typical 12-team league. That would put him about three rounds behind Andres Munoz and Paul Sewald, and one round behind Jose Leclerc.
While Robertson will probably get the majority of save opportunities to start the season, the Mets will almost certainly be looking at other ninth inning options as well. Adam Ottavino has 33 career saves, including the 11 he recorded with the Red Sox during the 2021 season. He’s likely to get occasional save opportunities but he has thrived as a setup man throughout his career. Ottavino has pitched better in non-save situations (3.20 ERA) as opposed to save situations (3.59 ERA). Ottavino had greater success against right-handed batters (.161 BAA, 479 OPS) than left-handed batters .301 BAA, .838 OPS) last season and will likely be a better resource for holds than saves this season.
Brooks Raley, who the Mets acquired from the Rays this offseason, could also see the occasional save opportunity come his way. He’s coming off of a career season in which he pitched to a 2.68 ERA and posted a 0.969 WHIP and he also saved six games. He was pulled from the World Baseball Classic after suffering a low-grade left hamstring strain but is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Like Ottavino, expect Raley to record more holds than saves.
Tommy Hunter (22 career saves), Stephen Nogosek (35 minor league career saves) and Sam Coonrod (5 career saves, currently on the IL due to a lat strain) round out the Mets relievers who have some closer experience. Unfortunately, none of them have much fantasy value at this point but pitchers who have some closer experience sometimes eventually land a role that regularly allows them to pitch in high leverage situations so keep their names on your watch list.
The Mets almost assuredly will continue to seek to add quality arms to their bullpen in order to mitigate Diaz’s loss. Robertson’s biggest short-term competition for saves might not even be on the team yet. The Mets were among the clubs who attended Zack Britton’s workout on Thursday. Britton has 154 career saves and was the Orioles’ closer during part of current Mets manager Buck Showalter’s tenure as the Orioles’ manager. The Mets will also likely attempt to bolster their bullpen through the trade market as the season progresses and teams start to fall out of their respective pennant races.
Related Articles
- Relief Pitcher Positional Spotlight Hub
- Top 5 Fantasy Baseball Closers and Relief Pitchers
- Relief Pitcher Position Depth
- Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Late Round Targets & Value Plays
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.