Dodgers: One Team Won the Off-Season; It Wasn’t the Dodgers

Sign David Robertson

The Dodgers really never seemed to want to commit to the former-Yankee standout. A 33-year old righty with a premium background,  Robertson did not quite fit the mold of Dodgers’ relievers. The team chose the younger, harder-throwing Joe Kelly over Robertson this offseason, despite Kelly’s lack of closing experience and lackluster regular season numbers.

Here’s the best statistical reason the Dodgers should have signed Robertson, as articulated by Michael Wittman back in December:

"Over the last three seasons, David Robertson has allowed a .187 average to opposing batters.  Right-handed batters have hit just .195 against Robertson and lefties have done even worse hitting .177.  It wouldn’t matter who came in to hit in the eighth inning against him, he can do the job equally effective against either side."

Robertson could have stepped in for Jansen to give the fan-favorite more time to rest between outings while not sacrificing quality. Robertson has not fallen to injuries really at any point during his career either, as he has pitched in 60 or more games in every season of his career besides his rookie year.

Robertson also cost relatively little in comparison to other relievers of his caliber have signed for. Representing himself in favor of an agent, Robertson signed for 2 years and $23 million this offseason. He didn’t require the third year Joe Kelly did.

And he comes with more playoff experience than Kelly. Robertson has 33.2 innings of postseason experience under his belt with a 3.48 ERA (though the peripherals say he should have been better) and 5 wins.

The Dodgers chose the new trendy reliever over the proven commodity, a choice that may prove costly over the next few seasons, or at the very least every time they find themselves playing the Phillies these next two seasons.