David Robertson, Chicago White Sox
David Robertson has been a good closer the past three seasons. He was the man who replaced the great Mariano Rivera in New York, and he did a pretty good job putting up 39 saves and a 3.09 earned run average, along with 96 strikeouts in 64.1 innings. Last season for the White Sox, he struck out 75 batters in 62.1 innings, while saving 37 games and posting a 3.47 earned run average. Those numbers are pretty good.
With such numbers, it is hard to think Robertson will lose his job this season. The problem is, he could be on the decline. He has pitched almost the same number of innings each of the past three seasons, but his earned run average has gone up each season, and his strikeouts have gone down. In fact, his strikeout totals went from 96 in 2014, to 86 in 2015, all the way down to 75 in 2016. His innings pitched those seasons: 64.1, 63.1 and 62.1 respectively. Not to mention, there is a reliable arm in the form of Nate Jones.
Jones pitched in 71 games for the White Sox last season, striking out 80 batters in 70.2 innings. His 2.29 earned run average was much better than Robertson’s. His 18 total earned runs was better than Robertson’s 24, and Jones pitched in 8.1 more innings. If Robertson starts to look shaky, the White Sox can confidently look to Jones as a replacement option.