Demilio: Pirates Should Sign David Robertson

Four games into the season and the major concerns surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen have yet to be silenced. In fact, they’ve been heightened. I guess three walk-off losses in four games will do that.

David Bednar’s prolonged struggles from a season ago have trickled into the start of the 2025 season. The 30-year-old has made three appearances on the young season and has been scored upon each outing.

Bednar took the loss in the season opener against the Miami Marlins after allowing a walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth to Kyle Stowers. The following day, Bednar converted a save opportunity but not before allowing a two-run home run, which turned a three-run lead into a one-run win.

Then in the Pirates’ most recent game, Bednar took his second loss of the season as the Marlins defeated the Pirates 3-2 on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning.

So, through three appearances to begin the year, Bednar is 0-2 with a 27.00 ERA. This comes after posting a 10.13 ERA in spring training. And a 5.77 ERA last year.

Colin Holderman, meanwhile, has also been shaky. Holderman allowed a game-tying home run in the seventh inning in the Pirates’ loss on Sunday. He’s allowed three runs in three innings through his first three appearances to begin the season.

To make matters worse, the Pirates don’t have someone like Aroldis Chapman last season to step into the closer role or pitch in high-leverage innings. Bednar and Holderman are supposed to be the guys late games.

But if the Pirates want to address their bullpen concerns, there is still somehow an option left on the free agent market. In the offseason, my friend and colleague John Perrotto named David Robertson as one of three relievers the Pirates should target.

Inexplicably, the veteran has yet to sign with a team for 2025.

Last season with the Texas Rangers, Robertson posted a 3.00 ERA and struck out 99 batters in 72 innings across 68 appearances. He held opponents to a .202 batting average and .571 OPS.

Robertson, who turns 40 years old next month, is not short on experience. The right-hander has pitched 16 seasons and has an impressive 2.91 ERA with 177 saves. Robertson’s highest-ever ERA in a full season is 3.82… in 2010.

He would provide everything the Pirates should be looking for. A strong track record, a veteran presence and closer experience. He may be turning 40 in a week and a half but he was still extremely effective as a 39-year-old.

So why not take a chance? What is the downside?

Though Robertson wouldn’t be an immediate solution — he’ll need to ramp up and get into game shape with no spring training — he could provide a needed upgrade in a matter of weeks.

Instead of waiting and hoping the Bednar, Holderman and the rest of the bullpen can figure things out, bringing on an external addition like Robertson seems like a much better idea.

It’s a gift for the Pirates that he’s still an option as the calendar is set to flip to April. They need to take advantage of it before things spiral too far out of control.