The New York Yankees still have some funds available to sign a cheap reliever, and they do have the need to do so since their bullpen has lots of question marks after Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Chad Green, and Darren O’Day.
However, reports indicate that they could also be looking to re-sign outfielder Brett Gardner after letting him go in the winter by declining his club option. That may complicate the enterprise of getting another reliever.
One name that could potentially come on the cheap is David Robertson. Injuries have derailed their 2019 and 2020 seasons: he had Tommy John surgery in August of 2019 and didn’t pitch at all in 2020 after having a setback last summer.
However, when healthy, Robertson is a difference-maker in any bullpen due to his incredible ability to miss bats. Over his long career (most of which came with the New York Yankees) the right-hander has a fantastic 32.2 K%, and he has struck out 11.93 hitters per nine frames.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com is reporting that David Robertson (elbow) will hold a showcase for interested clubs next week, specifically on February 11.
The Yankees would be wise to pay attention
Apparently, Robertson is over the setback that he encountered last year, and is eager to show teams that he can still contribute in a major league bullpen.
Granted, the Yankees would be getting an risk given that he is already 35. But if the price is right, he can make sense for them.
He has had, to this point, a remarkable career: in 663.2 frames, he has accumulated 14.3 fWAR, a 2.90 ERA and a 2.84 FIP.
If he shows that he still has some juice left in his right arm, the New York Yankees would be wise to approach him with an offer that could theoretically fit in their remaining budget for the 2021 season.