MLB rumors: David Robertson to Phillies | What it means for Yankees; Zach Britton, Adam Ottavino on deck?
Once again, David Robertson has left the Yankees.
The 33-year-old right-hander took a two-year, $23-million deal from the Phillies on Thursday, according to a report from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The pact also includes a third-year club option.
What the Yankees are losing: Last season, Robertson went 8-3 with a 3.23 ERA in 69 games and 69 2/3 innings for the Yankees, earning five saves. Robertson also left the Yankees following the 2014 season, taking a four-year, $46-million deal from the White Sox.
What do the Yankees do? They turn their eyes toward Zach Britton and Adam Ottavino, the top two arms remaining on the free agent market. They have been in close contact with both. General manager Brian Cashman and his front office have been among Britton’s top choices all winter. And at the Winter Meetings, Cashman met with Ottavino’s agent. They have two spots in the bullpen open. Come the trade deadline last season, both were filled with top notch arms — Robertson and Britton. It’s unclear if Cashman will aim high for both spots, but it seems likely he’ll spend on at least one, considering the Yankees’ penchant for a super bullpen the last couple of years.
Find out soon? Would think that there might be the proverbial rush on relievers now. With Robertson off the board, there’s no reason to think things won’t soon wrap up for Britton and Ottavino.
Reminders: The 33-year-old Ottavino — a New York native — went 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 75 games last year for the Rockies. The 31-year-old Britton — a two-time All-Star — missed a large portion of the season last year due to rehabilitation following surgery to repair a torn right achilles tendon. He went 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA in 25 games for the Yankees after they acquired him at the trade deadline from the Orioles.
Internal options: The Yankees have a bunch of arms who could slot into a back-end role with high-end potential. Chance Adams, Jonathan Loaisiga and Domingo German stand out as potential impact relievers who haven’t had dedicated shots at relief spots yet. Luis Cessa, too. The Yankees’ current back-end looks like Aroldis Chapman at closer, Dellin Betances setting him up and Chad Green in the seventh inning. Not too shabby.