MLB Trade Rumors: Could the New York Yankees trade for David Robertston?
The New York Yankees might be looking toward a former Yankee to help give some depth to their bullpen.
The New York Yankees before the 2015 season were unable to retain closer David Robertson in free agency. After Robertson left, the Yankees signed Andrew Miller to become their closer. The Yankees flipped Miller and Aroldis Chapman for prospects before the trade deadline last season. In the off-season, they brought back Chapman. Before the trade deadline this year, they could bring back Robertson too.
The Yankees and Red Sox are doing battle on the field – and they may vie for at least one trade target and possibly two.Both teams had scouts in Chicago Sunday, and it is believed both had some level of interest in Chisox reliever David Robertson and Chisox third baseman Todd Frazier – though it seems that the Yankees may be more interested than the Red Sox in Robertson, and the Red Sox may have more need than the Yankees for Frazier.The Yankees want to shore up their bullpen, and have always liked Robertson, who came up for them before moving on to Chicago as a free agent to close for them. There were hints the Yankees were also paying attention to Frazier, though they haven’t expressed a strong desire at third base and are more concerned about first base (as well as the rotation and bullpen).
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Robertson has rebounded thus far this season after a tough 2016 campaign. In 30 games, Robertson is 4-2 with a 2.78 ERA. In 32.1 innings, he has 46 strikeouts. His K rate up over seven percent this year compared to last.
He’s due $13 million next year in the final year of his contract.
Dellin Betances has struggled with his control. Tyler Clippard has been horrendous since June. Aroldis Chapman has missed time this year and hasn’t been as effective as he’s been in the past, whether or not it has to do with his usage in the World Series last year.
With Michael Pineda now done fore the year and some of the struggles other starters have had, instead of spending big prospect collateral on Sonny Gray or a starting pitcher of that ilk, the New York Yankees could go the bullpen route.
The Yankees do shed some payroll after this season, including Clippard, CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez, so they can use some of that savings and keep Robertson for next year as well, or even flip him during the off-season.
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With the Washington Nationals making their big trade for bullpen help yesterday, Robertson could be the next reliever dealt.
This would be a good move for the Yankees and wouldn’t necessarily take them out of acquiring a starter or a first baseman.