David Robertson, Chicago White Sox agree to deal

David Robertson and the Chicago White Sox have agreed to a four-year, $46 million deal. Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported the news.

If there’s any proof that baseball’s market is alive and well, just look at the value of relief pitchers. Andrew Miller recently signed a four-year, $36 million deal. Robertson’s landed a similar contract with even more money.

The White Sox are definitely going for it in 2015 and beyond. To improve its offense, they signed Adam LaRoche to a two-year, $25 million deal. They also brought in left-handed reliever Zach Duke on a three-year, $15 million contract.

This spending trend has continued with Robertson, a highly regarded closer who spent the first seven years of his career with the New York Yankees. After being a longtime setup man for Mariano Rivera, Robertson spent the 2014 season as a closer. Despite a 3.08 ERA, a number that doesn’t enter any sort of elite category for a reliever, Robertson amassed 96 strikeouts in 64.1 innings pitched.

It’s hard to argue against the White Sox significantly overpaying for Robertson. In the same respect, it’s equally hard to dislike the aggressiveness Chicago’s management team is showing. They see a window of opportunity and Robertson’s closing abilities fit into that window. He provides bullpen stability and was arguably the top right-handed reliever on the market.

With Miller and Robertson landing deals, expect the market to open up for Luke Gregerson, Sergio Romo, Rafael Soriano and others.