Cafardo reports that Toronto’s bullpen is a position of weakness on the team. The Blue Jays lost both Brett Cecil and Joaquin Benoit in free agency, leaving Roberto Osuna and Jason Grilli to handle much of the load. The team is looking into adding a quality late-inning reliever, and Robertson could be their man.
Osuna is currently the Blue Jays closer. Osuna has been in the MLB for the past two seasons, appearing in 140 games and 143.2 innings. He holds a career 5-9 record with a 2.63 ERA and a 157/30 K/BB ratio. Osuna has 56 career saves.
The Blue Jays closer is a rising star in the MLB. Last season he held a 2.68 ERA with a 82/14 K/BB ratio, saving 36 games in the process. There is a less than 0% chance that the Blue Jays remove him from the closer’s role.
However a 1-2 punch of Robertson and Osuna would give the Blue Jays one of the best in the MLB. Osuna is also just 21, if he ever struggles Robertson could fill in immediately. Overall Robertson would give the Blue Jays talented bullpen depth and an elite setup man. As Toronto looks to compete against the likes of the Red Sox and the Indians for the AL pennant, Robertson could be their missing piece.
As for what the White Sox could receive for Robertson, the Blue Jays currently have three players in the top 100 prospects. As the site reveals their 2017 rankings, there’s a good chance Toronto adds a fourth in Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
It’s likely that Rick Hahn would ask for one of Richard Urena (74), Sean Reid-Foley (76) or Anthony Alford (87). Outside of the three, Toronto does have a talented catcher in Reese McGuire, however it appears as if the team is willing to let Zack Collins earn a spot behind the dish. Toronto doesn’t have the deepest farm system, but they have talented prospects who could facilitate a deal.
Even after this report the Nationals remain the heavy favorites. However Toronto has the interest and the prospect pool to get it done.
If the Blue Jays start getting desperate about their bullpen depth, there’s a chance that David Robertson is moved from the South Side, all the way to north of the border.
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