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New York Yankees Can Replace David Robertson On The Cheap

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees will most likely say goodbye to closer David Robertson. This isn’t shocking. They more or less have done so already.

History demonstrates that the Yankees will spend money, lots of it. But even one the most valuable sports franchises in the world refrain from throwing money around. Usually. Last week, it was reported that the Yankees offered Robertson, 29, a one-year, $15.3 million offer. The Yankees may have undervalued Robertson, at least in Robertson’s mind.

Robertson is seeking a four-year deal worth around $50 million per year. The cash differential is not much, neither are the years. Other than the Yankees, the Houston Astros are one team interested in Robertson.

True, Robertson proved in 2014 that he was capable of taking over the team’s closer role after Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer in MLB history, retired after the 2013 season. However, after transitioning from Rivera’s understudy to the staring role doesn’t equate to Robertson’s wishes. No matter how well he preformed. The righty Robertson saved 39 of 44 opportunities and registered a 3.08 ERA, impressive in deed.

He did almost ruin Derek Jeter’s final game at Yankee Stadium by giving up a three-run lead. Fortunately for Robertson, Jeter bailed him out with the game-winning hit, a fact that Robertson acknowledged in the post-game celebration. But he expressed it in more colorful terms. That job wasn’t exactly saving Game 7 of the World Series, but it did give some insight into how Robertson may respond in a pressure situation with a season in the balance.

Granted, this may not be the fairest evaluation of Robertson overall career in the Bronx. Robertson is a talented closer with a bright future.

But the Yankees have the luxury of a less expensive and more explosive pitcher to replace him. Right-handed pitcher Dellin Betances, 26, thrilled Yankees fans as the eighth-inning set-up man last year. And he’s just getting started. A 6-foot-8 flamethrower, Betances struck out 135 batters in over 90 innings of work last season. He finished the season with a 1.40 ERA.

Last year, Betances earned $502,100. Even better for the Yankees is that he’s not eligible for arbitration until after the 2016 season and won’t be a free agent in 2020.

If Betances continues to develop the way he’s expected to, eventually he will demand, and receive, more money. Hopefully the Yankees will be signing his check.

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