Cubs Eyeing All-Star Reunion to Bolster Bullpen

Even after acquiring closer Ryan Pressly, the Chicago Cubs aren’t finished upgrading their bullpen and may look to reunite with David Robertson. Heading into the offseason, one of the Cubs’ primary needs was addressing the bullpen, particularly the back end. Trading for Eli Morgan marked the first step, and on Sunday, they secured their closer in Astros’ All-Star Ryan Pressly.

According to MLB insider Bruce Levine, Chicago has had conversations with David Robertson about returning to the Cubs for 2025. Robertson spent part of the 2022 season with the Cubs, posting a 2.23 ERA with 14 saves before being traded to the Phillies for Ben Brown. The 39-year-old reliever reportedly reached out to the Cubs about returning to help solidify the back end of the bullpen.

With president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer prioritizing established relievers this offseason, signing a 16-year veteran would be a strong addition to a relatively young relief corp. Robertson made 68 appearances for the Rangers last season, recording a 3.00 ERA with 34 holds over 72 innings. He declined his share of a $7 million mutual option with the Rangers in November and became a free agent.

Cubs’ Bullpen Overhaul: All-Star Reunion Could Be the Next Move

Entering his age-40 season, Robertson boasts a career 2.91 ERA, a 31.9% strikeout rate, 196 holds, and 177 saves. An All-Star in 2011 and a future Hall of Famer, he ranks second in games played (861), fifth in games finished (354), and seventh in active saves. Robertson, who played a key role in the Yankees’ 2009 World Series win, has been remarkably durable throughout his 16-year career, missing only the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. After losing Adbert Alzolay to season-ending elbow surgery last year and spending much of the season without a closer, his durability would be a valuable asset for the Cubs.

Robertson relies on three pitches including his signature cutter that ranked third in total movement and run value last season. With a 33.3% strikeout rate in 2024, he continues to strike batters out at a clip well above the league average.  The veteran right-hander has averaged at least one strikeout per inning in every year of his career going into 2025.

Although Spotrac estimates Robertson’s market value at $7 million, the self-represented 39-year-old has not signed below $10 million in eight of the last ten seasons. Still, adding Robertson to a Cubs bullpen that already includes Pressly, Morgan, Porter Hodge, Tyson Miller, and Julian Merryweather could help Chicago finally return to the postseason.