10:15pm: There’s still “mutual interest” in a union between Robertson and the Red Sox, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com tweets. Boston is facing plenty of competition, though, as it’s one of “several” clubs vying for Robertson, per Feinsand.
9:21pm: There have been a handful of newsworthy bullpen signings over the past couple weeks, yet one of the majors’ most accomplished relievers – right-hander David Robertson – remains without a contract. While world champion Boston is among the teams that have shown interest in Robertson this offseason, the Red Sox believe they’re unlikely to reel in the longtime Yankee, George A. King III of the New York Post hears. That could be to the advantage of the Phillies, who are interested in Robertson, King reports.
Although it doesn’t appear the 33-year-old Robertson will join the BoSox, the fit is obvious. He’s a Rhode Island resident who’d like to remain in the Northeast, where he has spent most of his career, and the Red Sox have needs in their bullpen. They’ve already lost setup man Joe Kelly, who signed with the Dodgers, and could also see star closer Craig Kimbrel wave goodbye in free agency. Robertson is heavily experienced as both a setup man and a closer, and based on his outstanding track record of performance and durability, would be a good bet to step in with aplomb for either Kelly or Kimbrel. Nevertheless, Boston’s reportedly hesitant to offer Robertson more than a two-year deal – thus falling short of MLBTR’s three-year, $33MM prediction – and seems to be hoping for relievers’ prices to drop before committing to anyone.
Like the Red Sox, the Phillies would make sense for Robertson from a geographical standpoint. The Phillies could also stand to upgrade their bullpen, though they’ve mostly been connected to left-handed relievers on the rumor circuit. However, Philadelphia witnessed Andrew Miller come off the market Friday, when he signed with the Cardinals, possibly leaving it in “Zach Britton-or-bust” mode when it comes to lefty relievers.
Regardless of handedness, Britton or Robertson – the Yankees’ most noteworthy remaining free agents – would either give the Phillies a terrific setup man or a quality closer who’d bump the electrifying Seranthony Dominguez into a different role. Robertson wouldn’t provide the Phillies the southpaw they desire, but it’s worth noting he has been more dominant against left-handed hitters during his career, having held them to a pathetic .186/.267/.278 line while limiting righties to a weak .219/.302/.364 mark.
As for the Yankees, with both Robertson and Britton unsigned, they’re in the market for two relievers, King notes. It’s unclear how serious New York is about re-signing Robertson, but it is trying to outmaneuver the Phillies and other teams for Britton, Jon Heyman of Fancred reported this week.
Really expecting the Phillies to get a deal done here seems to be a match for both player and team
Your spelling of “Yankees” is incorrect
Thanks!! Dang autocorrect gets me every time (:
this is why you get downvotes at an astronomical rate. The yankees aren’t the be all end all team as classified by their lack of world series appearances since they last won. Chill, homie.
What makes you think anyone cares about downvotes? Users will downvote a wedding announcement.
Nobody cares about down votes, but insane biased deserves them.
Nah – its humor which apparently was lost on you. As well as the point of your team making it to the World Series twice since the turn of the century and one was against…. oh yeah.
There are MANY fans of different teams who make comments like this. Xab only gets the hatred because he comments on every article, and he’s a Yankee fan.
Was Metropolitans even alive, the last time the Mets won ? Why don’t you chill…
Phillies need to sign this guy. Not sold on Britton. Can always find a lefty in the system or before the trade deadline.
They’ve been trying to find an adequate lefty for a few years now. It’s not that easy.
D-Rob makes is a perfect match for about a half dozen teams.
DRob at 3-33 should be a no-brainer for Cashola.
Robinson a Yankee, Britton a Phillies. Merry Christmas
Robinson?
Cano?
Chirinos
Crusoe
It’s primitive as can be… = )
Didn’t know there was a team called the philliess
There isn’t a team called the “philliess”
lol
Juggy apparently begs to differ.
kimbrel a cardinal or brave
Britton would be only one PHILLIE.
Both Robertson and Britton are going to get 3 yrs guaranteed. Heck if Kelly got 3 yrs/$25MM from the Dodgers both these guys are much better than Kelly. I like Britton for the Yankees they need another lefty for the bullpen and Britton is the perfect addition for that. Britton 3 yrs/$35MM and it gets done..
Kelly has age on his side. Teams are scared to extend more years than previously. If this were three years ago, both I believe would have already been signed.
Britton to the Cubs
And ending up with more Saves than Morrow.
Agreed. Anything Morrow does is a bonus. Every time he pitches you wonder when he may go down.
Kimbrel to the Braves
Kimbrel won’t go to Braves unless his ask price drops drastically
Define “drastically”.
Boras is trying to get Chapman level deal (around 5/87); wouldn’t expect Braves to be interested unless it drops to 4 for 60 but never know he may get the 5th year, I just don’t think AA would do that
The thing is Chapman was 2 yrs younger when he signed his deal than Kimbrel will be shortly after the 2019 season opens. And Chapman was coming off a much better year in 2016 than Kimbrel is coming off last year.
That’s true. But Kimbrel won’t go anywhere unless his asking price drops significantly both yrs and $’s.
I agree 100% I think if AA does make a reach it would be a 4yr 60 mil deal, right in line with the 15/yr AAV
He was willing to go 3 years on an outfielder, I doubt he goes 4 on a reliever who is going to be 31 next year.
Exactly that’s why I said even at 4/60 it would be a reach with AA, doesn’t want to lock up money long term and Braves have plenty of studs on the farm that can come up and pitch in bullpen
He’ll get $62M for 4 years with a $2M buy out (AAV $16M) of a 5th year option.. With a possible Max of 5/$75M..AAV of $15M
Cool name u picked.. a HOF’er playing LF at Fenway for 50 years straight. Hard to imagine when one thinks about it and the guy who took over for Rice (Greenwell) wasn’t to shabby himself.
And if it does, he stays in Boston unless going “home” is his priority.
The guy has no agent for crying out loud.
He will re-sign with the Yankees
Hopefully after Zach Britton.
he’s not going back to the yankees. Chill. He’ll be a redsock, philly or met before the Yankees.
I’m not sure there’s better odds he’ll end up with any team. You insisting he WON’T be a Yankee is just as dumb as Xab insisting he will.
I don’t know. I’n always concerned when a team doesn’t seem all that interested in retaining one of their own long term players. I wonder if Yanks have some concerns that they are keeping to themselves.
Having said that, while I would love to see the Mets add another higher end addition to the bullpen, it just doesn’t appear likely.
No chance the Mets add D-Rob. They already acquired 2 top 10 relievers. It would be great though, especially if they added one more arm.
Ottavino and Britton for Yankees no further questions
Anyone, but Ottavino.
Entering age-33 season? ERA over 5, two years ago?
I’d rather take my chances with Stephen Tarpley.
Tarpley’s a lefty, Ottavino a righty. It’s far more likely the Yankees go with Tarpley if they don’t get Britton. And that would be a huge mistake.
that was 2yrs ago…is noone allowed a bad season?
lets see your era in mlb Mr.Knowledge
And two years ago I believe Ottavino was still working his way back from TJ surgery.
The only way the Yankees go after the 2 guys is if they miss out on Machado.
I think he signs with Philly and ends up closing games for them
David Robertson has always had a history of asking for a lot more than he is really worth. He seems less concerned with winning and work with money like when he left the Yankees to go to the White Sox and we all saw how that turned out. Odds are he will take a three-year deal with a team for around 35 million and about one year into the deal will regret it.
Imagine that a MLB player who’s concern is with money and getting the biggest contract..
Same guy who said no to the player’s s playoffs cash share
What do you mean
I believe Robertson decided for all Yankees players to forfeit their share of the playoffs earnings
No he didn’t. Where did you even read that? Nothing like that at all.
Ok, this is what happened exactly Prior to the postseason, Robertson led a players-only meeting regarding how many playoff shares would go to team personnel, including assistant hitting coach P.J. Pilittere (received half a share), coaching analyst Zac Fieroh (none) and other essential support staffers (zero).
The Yankees have a history of being cheap with postseason shares all the way back to Torre and also that is a decision that is voted on.
But also the Yankees are known to pass along end of year cash bonuses to team staff when leaving the clubhouse for the year
Anyone working for the Yanks is getting paid top dollar!
So what does that mean. If I was one of the coaches I would be looking forward to that extra money after hard work and making the playoffs. At the end of the day, it leaves a bad taste
It was a team vote. He was just the representative and it was for playoffs shares for certain staff members. He didn’t make the decision himself.
Robertson was the leader and stiffed the team’s entire support staff, trainers, clubhouse attendants and batting practice pitchers.
Everyone tries to get the best deal they can, as would you.
It’s been FOUR days since there’s been JTR news……what gives?
…JTR for Swihart is close……
Why do I feel like the Braves will wind up with Ottavino
I do not want him come on Robertson you are from Alabama that’s Brave country COME HOME !!!!!!
Tell your wife you can have that New England life when you retire come down & enjoy chicken & waffles
Soroka, Waters, Gohara for Leclerc? maybe some lotto prospects
He’s a multimillionaire, he’s not eating at Waffle House
Hahahahaha.
That is wayyyyyy to much
Gohora for Leclerc is about how far I would go
search up his stats and years of control
actually here
baseball-reference.com/players/l/leclejo01.shtml
Gohora alone isn’t going to fetch anything close to Leclerc right now
Sorry not alone but as far as a Top 10 organizational prospect piece. After removing the Robbie Cano/Jay Bruce/Anthony Shwarzak
Part of the Met deal Edwin Diaz didn’t pull that level of prospect hall that was just proposed.
Gohora, Jenista & Wentz would be more along the lines of what I would be comfortable giving up
You are forgetting the money part of the deal. Diaz was sent so the mariners didn’t have to eat as much cash on Canos deal
Yeah the financial aspect played a part maybe that was a bad comparison. I just can’t see that kind of return for a position as volatile as RP. And it’s not like he was a proven closer he only closed for a couple months.
yeah that deal is reasonable bc Leclerc is going to comman a Diaz deal but the Mets took a huge awful contract off the Mariners hands
Soroka, Gohara, waters, lotto for him is close
That’s what I am saying. Relief pitching falls apart often. Anything more than 3 years for most relief pitching is illogical.
Sox open to anyone however only if orixe right…DD is awaiting the market to come down…again like JD last season. god I’m a broken record
Sox can have him, best years are behind him! I hope they give him a ton of cash!
Sahx won’t bite. They will make more with less to start the year. At the trade deadline they will trade for reliever/closer if needed.
I’d sure feel much better about the Cardinals bullpen if they could sign either Robertson or Kimbrell. Face it. The past few years of Mozeliak grabbing at wishful thinking relievers for lengthy years and high salaries has been a waste of money and they should either trade them or release them and let Mozeliak eat the money. Cecil, Gregerson, Leone and a couple of others are just taking up valuable spots on the Cardinals 25 man roster. Every time Cecil enters a game, he looks like he’d much rather be playing chess. If the Cardinals do keep them, they will still eat the money on the pitchers and the worst part is the manager will have to throw them! So why put the manager in that situation? Just eliminate them as they did Holland. Go after one more solid big fish. The money and the productivity of the big fish signing would more than pay for itself with the elimination of the aforementioned.
I don’t know if he’ll resign in New York, but hopefully he signs anywhere but Boston. Ugh
Boston needs this guy. 2 years with a vesting option at 15 per
Red Sox should take a flier on Greg Holland. While he was downright awful for the Cardinals, he was back to his dominate self with the Nationals in Aug & Sep (ERA under 1). I believe he can be had cheap on a one year deal and that plays right into what the Sox are looking for. Sign Holland and either Ottavino or Britton and call it an off-season!