SAN DIEGO -- David Robertson did everything right as a Yankee. A 17th round pick in 2006, Robertson ended up being an amazing bridge for Mariano Rivera, even making the All-Star team in 2011 in that role. When Rivera retired, Robertson stepped in, and the transition was pretty seamless.
But after Rivera held the closer role for nearly two decades, Robertson lasted just one season. He has left the Yankees for four years and $46 million.
David Robertson
#30 RP
New York Yankees
2014 STATS
- GM63
W4
L5
BB23
K96
- ERA3.08
It wasn't "Papelbon money," but it was darn close to the four-year, $50 million contract that Jonathan Papelbon received from the Phillies a few years ago.
The Yankees considered going four years but were never interested in paying Robertson as much as the White Sox.
With Robertson gone, let's look at what is next.
Who closes: The Yankees just spent $36 million on a reliever, but if Andrew Miller fills the role as closer, he will enter 2015 with a grand total of one save on his resume.
Brian Cashman has said many times that with no support behind you, pitching the ninth inning is different than the eighth. Still, the Yankees believe that Miller has the ability to close, if they ask him to fill that role.
The Yankees could also use Dellin Betances in that role. Betances was amazing as rookie in 2014, making the All-Star team. He was so dominant, it is easy to imagine him pitching the ninth. He also has just one career save.
As the roster stands right now, I think the Yankees would go into spring training without declaring a closer and go with a two-headed monster of Miller and Betances and then see how it progresses.
Adding a closer: Cashman isn't a believer in offering long-term contracts for large money for closers who don't wear No. 42. That said, Cashman could try to sign a Jason Grilli or a Sergio Romo to a short-term deal. They would become the closer, while Betances and Miller would be able to pitch from the sixth to the eighth, going multiple innings on some nights.
In 2014, Grilli had 12 saves and a 4.00 ERA between the Pirates and Angels. In 2013, he was an All-Star with the Bucs. The Yankees could snag him on a reasonable one-year contract and if he is more '14 Grilli than '13 Grilli, they could put Betances or Miller in to finish games.
Romo has had 61 saves over the last two seasons. It would be odd to have your third best reliever as your closer, but it something the Yankees will, at least, consider.
Sandwich Pick: By offering Robertson the $15.3 million qualifier, the Yankees will now receive a sandwich pick between the first- and second-round picks. This is one reason the Yankees liked signing Miller over retaining Robertson. They basically pick up an extra, young player along with Miller compared to if they had signed Robertson.
Money, Money, Money: The money the Yankees are not spending on Robertson now could go some place else. We have been hinting about Max Scherzer for awhile. By not paying D-Rob, they might be able to put that money toward Scherzer.
Question: What do you think of letting Robertson go for four years and $46 million?
