Five months ago, with the Phillies’ payroll poised to surpass the highest luxury-tax threshold, John Middleton sat in his spring-training office and mulled over a question. Is there a point when the owner will stop spending?

Robertson was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he'll likely make a few appearances before being called up. The Phillies will pay Robertson about $5.5 million on a pro-rated $16 million contract,

The deal, first reported by The Athletic on Sunday, will pay Robertson approximately $5.5 million on a pro-rated, one-year, $16 million contract, a source told The Athletic’s Matt Gelb. The actual cost to the Phillies will be approximately $12 million,