As one of the last big names on the free agent market, veteran David Robertson would stabilize an Orioles’ bullpen that has lost Andrew Kittredge for several months and may be without Felix Bautista on Opening Day

Despite entering spring training mostly healthy, the Orioles have been stung by a litany of injuries over the last week that will test both their pitching and position player depth.

It has become a nail-biting task simply to log onto X (formerly Twitter) or read Roch Kubatko’s blog, where it seems like injuries are popping up for new players every day.

In the last week, the Orioles have confirmed that right-handers Grayson Rodriguez and Andrew Kittredge will start the season on the IL, while star shortstop Gunnar Henderson and free agent power bat Tyler O’Neill may not be ready for Opening Day.

And just recently, Brandon Hyde expressed concern as to whether closer Felix Bautista will be ready for Opening Day:

““We’re trying to get him, if everything goes well, hopefully six or seven games before,” Hyde said this morning. “He hasn’t pitched in a long time, so we’ll kind of see where he is at the end of camp and if we feel like he’s ready to pitch in the big leagues for us, whether it’s right away or giving him a little bit more time. We haven’t determined that yet.”

The losses of Kittredge and potentially Bautista have turned a seemingly turnkey bullpen, projected to include Bautista and Kittredge as anchors of an eight-man pen, upside down.

While the Orioles have some internal depth to address Kittredge’s absence and Bautista’s potential absence, their best option is still on the free agent market.: former All-Star closer David Robertson.

The Orioles should pursue free agent righty David Robertson to fill their suddenly injured bullpen

At the start of the offseason, Robertson was one of many strong bullpen arms available on the free agent market, along with Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, Clay Holmes, Andrew Kittredge, and Jeff Hoffmann.

Scott and Yates joined forces in Los Angeles, while Holmes left the Bronx for Queens to try out starting pitching.

The Orioles signed Kittredge after coming close to an agreement on Hoffmann, who apparently failed his physical before signing with the Blue Jays.

If nothing more, the signing of Kittredge and the near signing of Hoffmann show that the Orioles are willing to spend money to strengthen their bullpen this season.

And with Kittredge sidelined for at least a few months and questions surrounding Bautista’s availability (not to mention struggles from the pen this spring), a deal with Robertson makes sense for the O’s with Opening Day less than three weeks away.

Robertson, 39, was his typical solid self in 2023, appearing in 68 games for the Rangers and striking out 99 batters over 72 innings for a strong 3.00 ERA.

The right-hander pitched with the Yankees from 2008 to 2014, where he was an All-Star in 2011. Since 2014, he has bounced around different bullpens, pitching for the White Sox, Phillies (twice), Rays, Cubs, Mets, and Rangers. He has been worth a solid 1.7 WAR in each of the last two seasons, and has plenty of closing experiences, having 177 saves under his belt.

It is unclear why Robertson has not signed yet, though at 39, he is capable of waiting around until the right offer from the right team comes. MLB Trade Rumors predicted Robertson would land a one year, $11 million deal back in November.

However, if Robertson wants to pitch in 2025 and join a team before the season starts, he may need to “settle” for a one year deal in the $8-10 million range.

This is a contract the Orioles would be wise to give him, as he can close for them when Bautista is unavailable and provide high leverage relief pitching in Kittredge’s absence.

The Orioles should be interested in Robertson, and Robertson should be interested in the Orioles. Let’s see if an agreement can be reached in the next handful of days.