With a handful of teams financially competing for the services of closing pitchers Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen, the Yankees might be exploring other possibilities. Although it has been reported that the club has offered contracts to both Chapman and Jansen, Brian Cashman has made it clear that he will not over compensate to fulfill the closer role.
Mark Melancon signed a four-year contract for $62 million with the San Fransisco Giants earlier in the offseason, the biggest deal for a closing pitcher to date. This record will almost certainly be shattered soon by Chapman or Jansen (possibly both). Other closing pitchers amongst the league are seeing their trade value sky rocket due to the lucrative demands of free agent closers.
Robertson @DRob30 value is rising with closer prices. Any of the Chapman/Jansen runnersup makes sense. Yanks like him.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2016
One of these pitchers being inquired about at the Winter Meetings is David Robertson of the Chicago White Sox. A familiar face in New York, Robertson pitched for the Yankees for seven years before signing with the White Sox in 2015. Last year, he recorded 37 saves with a 3.47 ERA. The only year that he had more saves was in 2014, when he recorded 39 with the Yankees. Rather than spending millions of dollars in free agency, the front office may elect to find their new closer via the trade market; and they certainly have Robertson on their radar.
With offers out to Chapman & Jansen, is there an answer coming soon? #Yankees have also talked trades, including #WhiteSox David Robertson.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) December 7, 2016
