The Miami Marlins continue to bolster their bullpen ahead of MLB’s trade deadline. The Marlins acquired right-handed pitcher David Robertson from the New York Mets in exchange for two prospects.
The team announced the trade shortly after midnight Friday. The two prospects going to New York: infielder Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernandez, ranked as Miami’s Nos. 18 and 21 overall prospects according to MLB Pipeline. Both prospects were playing at the rookie-level Florida Complex League. The Marlins moved Matt Barnes (right hip surgery) to the 60-day injured list to make room for Robertson on the 40-man roster. They will still need to make another corresponding move to add Robertson to the 26-man active roster.
Robertson is the second high-leverage right-handed reliever Miami has acquired in the past two days. The Marlins traded for the Minnesota Twins’ Jorge Lopez on Wednesday, sending Dylan Floro to Minnesota in return. Robertson, 38, has been the Mets’ primary closer this season after Edwin Diaz sustained a knee injury during the World Baseball Classic. The righty has converted 14 of 17 save opportunities while posting a 2.05 ERA and 48 strikeouts against 13 walks, a 1.00 WHIP and .199 batting average against in 44 innings over 40 relief appearances this season. Robertson and Lopez now join a Marlins bullpen that also includes left-handed pitchers A.J. Puk, Tanner Scott and Steven Okert (plus Andrew Nardi once he returns from the injured list) and right-handed pitchers JT Chargois and Huascar Brazoban as high-leverage options.
