Philadelphia Phillies reliever José Alvarado receiving a suspension for ignoring the league's banned substance list is an unquestionably brutal blow to the Philly season. It is a selfish decision that hurts the veteran team's chances of making a World Series run. However, there is nothing that can be done now except search for other answers. The Phillies should be expected to be active both in the trade and free agent markets.
This suspension isn't just for the 80 games, it rules Alvarado unable to take part in any postseason run as well. This is the second player in the National League East to make this mistake with Philly's division rival losing outfielder Jurickson Profar for the same reason. Both teams have been put into scramble mode, and for Philly this could mean reuniting with a familiar face. Former Phillies reliever David Robertson is reportedly already on the team's radar.
Philadelphia Reportedly Reached out to David Robertson Before Alvarado's Suspension
Robertson has had two previous stints in Philly in the 2019 and 2022 seasons. The first was a complete frustration that forced an aging reliever to reinvent himself. Robertson's second stint with the Phillies was far more successful and opens up the path to a possible reunion. It is a bit surprising that the veteran remains on the market.
Despite his age, the veteran was a valuable piece to the Mets and Rangers in the past two seasons. His ERA was incredibly low, and the veteran added 16 saves over the previous two years. This is the type of reliable flexibility Philly's pen so badly needs with the loss of Alvarado.
With this in mind, a reunion should be the obvious move as the team searches for answers. With Robertson not taking part in spring training or having pitched for some time there is going to be a ramp up period. It isn't as simple as signing the veteran and plugging him into the Phillies bullpen.
Any signing is going to need to be followed by patience as the Phillies work with Robertson to be ready for the season. At the very least, it is a signing worth re-visiting with the team now having newfound desperation thanks to the selfish decision of Alvarado.