One of the White Sox best remaining trade pieces is closer David Robertson. We all saw this offseason how coveted late inning pitching is with Mark Melancon, Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman all receiving contracts over $60 million.
Before free agency was the World Series. In the seven game set both Chapman and Andrew Miller proved just how important great relief pitching was. As team’s assemble their 2017 rosters, they’re likely looking at the Cubs and Indians for inspiration
Of course, not all teams could have a dominant closer. With Melancon, Chapman and Jansen off the boards, there isn’t much left in free agency. There’s Greg Holland, but he is coming off of an injury-riddled season. Teams may feel uncomfortable signing him to a high-dollar contract.
Which leads us to Robertson.
The White Sox closer has been in the MLB for the past nine years, playing for the Yankees before the White Sox. In Robertson’s 524 career games, he holds a 36-27 record with a 2.97 ERA and a 685/211 K/BB ratio. Robertson has 118 career saves with atleast 34 saves the past three seasons.
Beyond his performance on the mound, teams are interested in Robertson’s team-friendly contract. Robertson is making just $25 million over the next two years. Fairly cheap compared to what the big three received this offseason.
In acquiring Robertson, teams are getting one of the better closers in the MLB at a discounted rate. With relief pitching becoming so important in today’s MLB, any team with a need at the back end of their bullpen could be interested in Robertson.
The White Sox have more than enough reasons to trade him. The South Siders are going through a rebuild, meaning that talented closers are more of a luxury than a necessity. The team is better off moving Robertson for a high price rather than wasting his potential/contract on throw-away seasons. The White Sox also have reliever Zack Burdi waiting in the wings, who has the potential to be the team’s closer of the future.
It still seems likely that Robertson will be traded at some point. The only questions that remain are where, and for what?
The Washington Nationals are one team that has shown interest in the closer. As are the New York Mets and New York Yankees. Teams with known needs at closer such as the Rockies and Royals could perhaps show interest. Robertson’s market should be endless, it all comes down to who is willing to pay for his services.
While Robertson has been available, it has been unclear as to what his price would be. He is one of the better closers in the league, but would teams really trade their top prospects for him?
A new report attempts to shine some light on to how much Robertson may cost.
