Tigers could get creative with trade if they revisit interest in David Robertson

At the halfway point of spring training, there are still a handful of free agents who remain unsigned by Major League clubs. Among them is David Robertson, the veteran right-handed reliever who had been connected to the Detroit Tigers – among other teams – earlier in the offseason.

Robertson most recently pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2024, posting a 3.00 ERA over 72 innings pitched in his 16th MLB season. The soon-to-be 40-year-old certainly isn't the shutdown closer he once was — earning just two saves in 10 opportunities last season with the Rangers — but his 40 combined saves with five different teams over the past three years show that he is still a capable ninth-inning arm.

The Tigers had reportedly expressed interest in Robertson due to a desire to bring an arm with closing experience into the fold. As it stands, Jason Foley is expected to step into the closer role, but Robertson could potentially still be another viable late inning option if the Tigers want to upgrade their bullpen before the start of the season.

Tigers could get creative with pitching trade if they revisit interest in David Robertson

If the Tigers were to make another move and add Robertson this spring, they would likely have to offer him more than the $7 million he would have made on the mutual option he declined with Texas. In theory, that price shouldn't be cost prohibitive for a Tigers team whose payroll is still well below the lowest luxury tax threshold.

Still, adding Robertson at this point would require the Tigers to clear a space for him on their 26-man roster (and in their bullpen). Considering the additions of Tommy Kahnle, Andrew Chafin and John Brebbia already this offseason, Detroit would have to get creative.

It seems unlikely that the Tigers would want to part with one of their most promising young arms, but a pitcher like Keider Montero could make an intriguing trade chip; his value is high after a breakout season in 2024, and the Tigers might be able to net some much-needed offense in a potential trade if they decided to go that route. Do they get more extreme and figure out a way to part with Kenta Maeda after his most recent spring outing? What if they decide to start Jackson Jobe in the minor leagues to begin the year?

Regardless of what happens with Robertson, the Tigers find themselves in an interesting situation with a wealth of pitching depth. They won't be able to hang onto every arm they have forever, so it might be time to start considering whether certain pitchers have more value to the organization as trade chips than as fringe roster pieces.

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