The disassembly of the 2023 New York Mets, the team with the highest payroll ever in baseball, began late Thursday when they traded closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins for two rookie league teenagers, the team announced.

Robertson, 38, took over the ninth-inning role for the Mets after star Edwin Diaz injured his knee during a World Baseball Classic celebration. Robertson was a stalwart at the back end of a shaky bullpen, posting a 2.05 ERA over 44 innings, striking out 48 and saving 14 games.