Miami Marlins fans cheered when the team acquired closer David Robertson at the trade deadline.
But the former All-Star, who posted 14 saves and a 2.05 ERA this year with the New York Mets, has been a different pitcher with the Marlins — and not in a good way.
Since notching a save in his Marlins debut July 30, Robertson has imploded. In 10 appearances in August, he’s given up 10 earned runs in 10 innings, leading to four losses and three blown saves.
Another disaster unfolded Wednesday night, when the 38-year-old veteran allowed three earned runs in the 10th inning in a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
“It seems like nothing’s worked out for me since I’ve come to Miami, so hopefully I’ll turn it around in the next series coming up,” Robertson told Bally Sports Florida after the game.
“I made some good pitches, I just didn’t make enough good pitches.”
Every player has been through a slump like Robertson’s going through, but his meltdown couldn’t come at a worse time. The Marlins are three games behind the final NL playoff spot. They need the Robertson with 175 career saves to re-emerge.
As baseball fans can be when a player is struggling, some of the reactions to Robertson’s latest performance were brutal.
The Mets ended their season by trading him, the Marlins ended their season by acquiring him
— Bimmy (@joecisar) August 31, 2023
A complete downturn of a trade
— Arraez Stan (@Marlins23Champs) August 31, 2023
Good guy. Good pitcher. Struggling right now, but that’s baseball Susan.
— David Lengel (@LengelDavid) August 31, 2023