David Robertson

New York Mets Non-Tendered Four Players On Wednesday

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As 8:00 p.m. struck on Wednesday struck the New York Mets had some big decisions to make regarding their roster’s future. The deadline to tender contracts for most of their roster came and went. Things went as expected with a couple of small surprises from the Mets front office.

Before anything else, the Mets brought back Steven Matz and Guillermo Heredia on one-year contracts. Matz’s contract is not guaranteed, and the Mets can release him by March 17 with the price slightly over 800k. This gives the Mets an insurance policy to give Matz a final shot to see if he can return to his 2019 form without wasting regular-season games on him.

Who is Going Home?

The most notable non-tender goes to Chasen Shreve, who had a surprisingly good season. Shreve had a 3.96 ERA and emerged as a solid long relief pitcher for the Mets. Letting Shreve walk leaves Daniel Zamora as the only left-handed reliever on the 40-man roster. Thinking ahead, a reliever like Brad Hand would be a suitable upgrade to Shreve in the bullpen.

Ariel Jurado and Nick Tropeano were former GM Brodie Van Wagenen acquisitions that will not return in 2021. Jurado made one dreadful start in 2020, while Tropeano was claimed off waivers in October. While Jurado was a waste of a trade, Tropeano would have been an interesting arm in the bullpen.

Paul Sewald also got the boot after spending four seasons up and down from AAA to the big leagues. He finished his Mets career with a 5.50 roster in 125 games with a dreadful 1-14 pitching record.

Out of all players to receiver a tender, Robert Gsellman is the most surprising. Gsellman has a 5.03 ERA over the last four seasons and has dealt with rough injuries over the last two seasons. He provides depth as a swingman in the bullpen, but he currently is the odd-man-out in the current bullpen makeup.

New York Yankees: All-Time Starting Rotation and Bullpen

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The New York Yankees have a great history of starting pitching and relievers. They arguably have the best closer of all time and a top 5 pitcher in the league every decade.

Ace: Whitey Ford

Ford won 25 games in his CY Young award-winning season, which is almost unreachable in this day and age. He was probably the most consistent pitcher in the 50s and never had an ERA over 3.24, helping him win the ERA title twice.

He was also a 10-time all-star, 6-time World Series champion, and even won a World Series MVP. A sure hall-of-fame player if the game has ever seen one.

2nd Starter: Vernon “Lefty” Gomez

The triple crown is usually associated with hitters, but Gomez won the triple crown for pitchers twice! In 1934 and 1937, he led the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts.

Gomez was also clutch when it counted, he did not lose a single postseason game in his career. This made him the main reason for the 5 World Series titles the Bombers won in the late ’30s.

3rd Starter: Ron Guidry

In 1978, Guidry had one of the best seasons ever for a pitcher. He won 25 games, had an astounding 1.74 ERA, and nearly 250 strikeouts. That is a type of dominance only a few pitchers have reached in their careers.

He was even a slick fielder throughout his career, earned himself 5 Gold Glove awards.

4th Starter: Charles “Red” Ruffing

Along with Babe Ruth, the New York Yankees stole another piece from the Red Sox, Ruffing helped them win 6 World Series and achieved 6 all-star appearances.

Ruffing and Gomez was a deadly one-two punch back then, both had 20-win seasons in the late ’30s. If they held their opponents to under 4 runs on average, them they were guaranteed to win a lot of games with Ruth, Gherig, and others in the lineup.

5th Starter: Andy Pettitte

The model for health and longevity, Pettitte led the majors in games started three times in his career. He pitched 200+ innings in 10 seasons of his career and even won 20 games, in 1996.

Pettitte, as well as other pitchers above, helped the Yankees win 5 World Series rings in the late ’90s and early and late 2000s. He pitched in and won many big games for the New York Yankees, making it hard to leave him out of this rotation.

An argument can be made for Spud Chandler, Mike Mussina, CC Sabathia, and Mel Stottlemyre to be in this rotation, but the five pitchers above allowed the Yankees to be. most successful throughout their history.

Bullpen

Long Reliever/Middle Reliever: Johnny Murphy

Murphy helped the ’30s New York Yankees win 6 World Series.

He even pitched 200 innings one season as a reliever, proving he can stay in games and consume innings. He led the league in saves four times as well.

Middle Reliever: David Robertson

His slider and ability to escape bases-loaded jams throughout the mid-2000s gives him a spot on this team. He could come out of the bullpen in the middle of an inning and let up no runs.

Robertson’s stuff allowed him to earn the second-best strikeout percentage in Yankees’ reliever history. He is the only active pitcher on this team.

Middle Reliever: Joe Page

Page only had an 8-year career, however, he led the majors in saves twice. He was also a 3-time all-star and lit up the radar gun.

Middle Reliever/Setup Man: Sparky Lyle

Lyle was a huge contributor to the 1977 and 1978 World Series Champion teams.

He led the league in saves in ’76 and would usually finish off games when he appeared. His most significant statistic was winning the 1977 CY Young award as a reliever.

Lyle could pitch multiple innings in relief, making him a good candidate for middle relief and setup man.

Setup Man: Dave Righetti

Beginning his career as a starter, Righetti was converted to the bullpen.

In 1986, Righetti led the majors in saves with 46. He won the 1981 Rookie of the Year award and reliever of the year twice.

He is second on the Yankees all-time saves list, behind none other than Mariano Rivera.

Setup Man: Rich “Goose” Gossage

He led the majors in saves three times, made 9 all-star appearances, and had his best years with the Yankees.

Gossage dialed up the radar guns and blew away hitters with his high 90s fastball. Not many pitchers in the league could throw with such velocity in the ’70s, making it even tougher to react to and make contact.

Closer: Mariano Rivera

There should be no argument here, Rivera won pretty much every award one can win as a reliever. He is the first unanimous hall of fame player in the history of Major League Baseball.

He has the most saves out of any closer ever (652), the most games finished (952), and the best ERA+ (205).

Any time “Enter Sandman” played on the loud-speaker, everyone in the budding knew the game was pretty much over. In 96 playoff appearances, Mo’ only lost one game.

He also had one of the most unhittable pitches ever, his cutter. He threw it inside on lefties and generated a lot of broken bats. He played on a level only a few relievers have reached in their careers.

When a bullpen consists of a Cy Young winner, two live arms, and the best closer ever, there is almost a guarantee the current game result as a win. A full 25-man all-time Yankees roster has been formed. This team could easily be the best group of players ever assembled.

New York Yankee Top 10s: The Yankees unsung players, what do you think?

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New York Yankees, David Robertson

The New York Yankees have had loads of star players throughout the years like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Whitey Ford, Thurmon Munson, and Derek Jeter among dozens upon dozens more.  But for as many stars the Yankees have had, there are even more that contributed in many ways and became unsung.  The reasons for this are many, including being on a team so great that some players slip through the cracks.  Others may have had average careers but on one day or one season placed their names in Yankee history.

In another top 10, we examine some New York Yankee players that never really became headliners but did make their mark in some way.  I could have picked 50 but arbitrarily narrowed it down to just 10.

10. Cecil Fielder 1996-1997

Cecil Fielder was never a big star with the Yankees, but in his two years, he hit .260. The All-Star and MVP candidate with the Detroit Tigers was traded to the Yankees. In just 151 games, he managed 26 home runs. Overshadowed by the likes of Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams, he never really endeared himself to Yankee fans. He had the distinction of winning the Babe Ruth Award for outstanding performance in the 1996 postseason. The Yankees would go on to win the World Series against the Atlanta Braves.

9. Ronald Torreyes 2016-2018

Little Ronald Torreyes (5′ 8,” 151 pound) was a fan favorite super-utility infielder for the New York Yankees for three seasons under manager Joe Girardi that frequently used Torreyes. He hit .281 for the Yankees but 2017 was his breakout year when it seemed whenever Girardi would put him in for a hit, he seemed to not disappoint. In 2017 he led the team in batting average at .314. When Aaron Boone was named Yankee manager, Torreyes was traded to the Chicago Cubs.

8. Aaron Small 2005-2006

Aaron Small is an interesting story that I remember well.  Aaron Small was a Journeyman pitcher.  Aaron Small was about to call it quits. He spent most of his career in the minors and he wasn’t pitching well enough to be a serious contender for a spot in the New York rotation in ’05. Then, an injury bug hit and Small found himself with a spot start in July. He would pitch well and would get a win. Small would then go on a tear, he ended the year 10-0, with a 3.20 ERA. Small’s the 33-year-old, his 2005 season helped the Yankees to clinch the division title.

7. Ralph Terry 1956-1957 and 1959-1964

Ralph Terry was a Yankee pitcher for seven years in two different stints. In 1962 he had a 23 game winning season going 23-12 with a 3.19 ERA.  He only had a no-decision in four games started. He also lead all of baseball in wins in 1962.  He was known as a “finisher.” In 1963 he completed a career-high 18 complete games.

6. Joe Dugan 1922-1928

Joe Dugan is a New York Yankee player that most fans have not only not seen him play, but probably have never heard of. He batted in his seven Yankee years .286 and was an MVP candidate in 1925. Although he was never a home run hitter, he had five straight seasons hitting over 100 hits on the season. But what made Dugan a Yankee worth remembering is that he was an excellent defender at the hot corner, leading the American League as a third baseman in fielding percentage in four consecutive seasons.

5. George Selkirk 1934-1942

During his nine years of Major League Baseball service, all with the Yankees, Selkirk appeared in 846 games, batting .290 (.265 in 21 World Series games), with 108 regular-season home runs, 131 doubles, 41 triples, 810hits, and 576 RBIs. Selkirk earned the nickname “Twinkletoes” for his distinctive way of running on the balls of his feet. Selkirk twice in his career recorded 8 RBI in one game, both against the Philadelphia A’s at Yankee Stadium after World War II he managed at the A and triple A levels for the Yankees.

4. Chien-Ming Wang 2005-2009

Wang is an interesting story while being sad at the same time.  The New York Yankees got Wang from his homeland of Taiwan where he was a huge pitching star.  He was projected as a possible ace for the Yankees.  In his first rookie year, he pitched to a 4.02 ERA.  In his second year, he was 19-3 with an ERA of 3.63.  in 2007 he would come in second in the Cy Young Award Voting.  He pitched two consecutive 19 win seasons. Then his future was turned upsidedown when he was injured running the bases.  He would never return to form and never become the next big Yankee pitching star.

3. Ron Blomberg 1969-1978

Ron Blomberg one of the most unsung Yankee players.  Blomberg is mostly known today as one of the old guys who shows up annually for the Old Timer’s Day Game.  What few remember is the Blomberg is usually recognized as the first designated hitter in baseball.  In his ten years being a DH and outfielder for the Yankees he hit .302. In his first plate appearance as a DH in 1973, he walked with the bases loaded against the Red Sox’s Luis Tiant. The bat he used is in the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum.

2. David Robertson 2008-2014, 2017 and 2018

It would be hard for David Robertson to become a huge star with the Yankees being constantly overshadowed by future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera.  But nevertheless, he made his mark in his two stints with the Yankees. He pitched for the better part of 9 seasons he would go 38-22 in 501 games.  Even though he never started a game for the Yankees and often being called in in a rough situation he managed a career 2.75 ERA.

1. Eddie Lopat 1948-1955

Lopat just missed being a Yankee legend.  He pitched eight years with the New York Yankees.  During his time with the Yankees, he had an outstanding career going 113-59 with an ERA of 3.19. He was an All-Star and a three-time MVP candidate. Lopat had four years with 15 or more wins. In 1951 he would have 21 wins, and in 1953, he had a winning percentage of .800 going 16-4. In 1953 he led the American League in both earned run average and won/lost percentage.  Feel free to comment on any Yankee you remember as an unsung Yankee hero.

EmpireSportsMedia.com’s Columnist William Parlee is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research.  Follow me on Twitter @parleewillam.

 

Ex-Yankee Pitcher Weighs in on Astros

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Current New York Yankee players have plenty to be ticked off about, as they were victims of the Astros in 2 separate seasons. But that doesn’t stop former Yankees from feeling equally cheated.

David Robertson Chimes In

In 2017, Robertson was traded back to his original team from the Chicago White Sox, along with Todd Frazier. Robertson was brilliant in his return to the Bronx, giving up 4 runs in 30 games down the stretch for the Yanks. He was as good that October, giving up 2 over 11 innings of relief.

But then came Game 6 of the 2017 ALCS. I’ll let him sum it up, in this excerpt from Mollie Walker of the NY Post:

“I got roughed up in Game 6,” Robertson said. “And I felt like in that game, I threw as well as I’ve ever thrown in my entire life. I had some pitches that got hit that I was a little shocked by and some pitches that didn’t get swung at that I was a little shocked by. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about what we know now. But it all comes together now and, you know, I’m upset about it, that’s for sure.”

Robertson could not retire any of the 4 men he faced that night.

Asked for his thoughts on the mastermind behind the operation, Carlos Beltran, Robertson has this to say about his former teammate:

“I always respected him as a player, especially being a veteran player on our team when I got a chance to play with him in New York,” Robertson said. “I enjoyed the way he played and the way he went about his business. He’s got to live with it.”

David Robertson is currently in year 2 of a 3 year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Reunited with former manager, Joe Girardi, Robertson hopes to come back strong in 2020, after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2019.

The Phillies Are the Reunion Yankees Fans Want

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New York Yankees, Yankees, Joe Girardi

Joe Girardi didn’t spend too much time outside of baseball after the Yankees let him go. It makes sense that a team would want to trust Joe Girardi after his impressive run with the Yankees. While there was only 1 World Series appearance/championship, Giardi never had a season below .500 as a manager. And the Yankees of the 2010s are all in on reuniting with their old skipper.

The Yankees Keep Coming to Philly

David Robertson, a fixture in the Yankees pen for much of the last decade, was with the Phillies since last season but missed most of his debut season due to Tommy John surgery. You know he’ll want to prove he was worth the contract, and Girardi certainly knows how to utilize him.

Then there are the Yankees recently departed shortstop, Didi Gregorius. Didi found his strength as an offensive player under Girardi. He was always a defensive whiz, but he became a FORCE once he came to NY. And after his injury-shortened 2019, where he struggled offensively and defensively after the All-Star break, you know he wants to prove he can still play.

And now, they have Ronald Torreyes. Yes, it’s a minor league deal, but it comes with an invitation to Spring Training. Toe was a viable backup, playing 180 games for the Yankees during Girardi’s last two years as manager, playing 108 in 2017 alone. I think Girardi trusts Torreyes enough that Toe will have a spot on the Phillies bench during the 2020 season. 

It’s going to be interesting to see just what the Phillies can do next season, especially with so many former Yankees on the team.

Will David Robertson and The New York Yankees Reunite (Again)?

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Aside from the offense, the bullpen was one of the New York Yankees’ biggest strengths in the past few years. In 2016, it was the trio of closer Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, and Dellin Betances, dubbed “No Runs DMC.” In 2017, Chapman and Betances, along with David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle, and Chad Green, held down the fort. In 2018, it was Chapman, Betances, Robertson, Green, Johnathon Holder, and former Orioles closer, Zach Britton.

Now, as 2019 draws near, the Yankee bullpen is in need of two reliable relievers. With several high profile options on the free agent market, it may be time for the Yankees brass to bring back a familiar player for another encore.

David Robertson: RHP

2018 Stats (NYY):

8-3, 3.23 ERA, 69 Games, 91 SO, 5 Saves, 69.2 IP, 1.033 WHIP, 1.0 WAR

David Robertson enters this offseason in an interesting position. Entering his age 34 season in 2019, he will represent himself in negotiations after splitting up with longtime agent Scott Leventhal. Robertson has an extensive history with the Yankees throughout his career, being picked by them in the 17th round of the 2006 draft.

He would become a permanent part of the bullpen in the Yankees 2009 championship campaign. In 2014, he would take over the closer’s role from surefire Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera. The following offseason, he would sign with the Chicago White Sox, recording 84 saves in two and a half seasons. Before the 2017 trade deadline, he would return to New York in a trade that included teammates Tommy Kahnle and Todd Fraizer.

Since the trade, Robertson is 13-3 with a 2.50 ERA and has allowed only 29 Earned Runs. Because of his success in his return to the Bronx, he has drawn interest from several teams, including the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Mets. This high level of interest makes it only more imperative that the Yankees retain Robertson.

D-Rob has a career 2.88 ERA and is well known for pitching out of bases-loaded jams. He also holds a career 3.36 K/BB ratio and a 1.145 WHIP. He won a World Series in 2009, along with making the 2011 AL All-Star team. A veteran right-hander, he can fortify any bullpen in any role. Finally, without a real agent to represent him, it’s possible for the Yankees to get him at their price tag.

 

Contract Prediction: 3 years, $30 million

New York Yankees Player Preview: David Robertson

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New York Yankees, David Robertson

David Robertson never really wanted to leave the New York Yankees Yankees following the 2014 season, but when the Yankees decided to sign Andrew Miller, Robertson moved on. When he was reacquired at last years trade deadline many Yankees fans were elated to have the high socks back in Pinstripes.

D-Rob is a true pro who can pitch in New York and will always give 110 percent. He is one of the nicest guys in the game and hopefully he gets to finish out his career in the Bronx.

Robertson’s numbers last season:

1.03 ERA, 51 K, 12 BB, 1 SV

Background:

Robertson is from Birmingham, Alabama and played baseball at two High Schools. He spent his freshman through junior years at Central-Tuscaloosa High School and in his senior year he attended Paul W. Bryant High School. Robertson went on to pitch for the University of Alabama and was dominate.

He was named to the Freshman All-SEC team and a Freshman All-American by Baseball America. In his sophomore year, and his final at Alabama, he led the SEC in saves and with his dominance Alabama won their 25th SEC Championship. The Yankees selected Robertson in the 17th round of the 2006 draft.

First stint with the Yankees:

Robertson made it to the majors quickly. He debuted on June 29, 2008 and appeared in 25 games in the 2008 season. Robertson did not make the Yankees Opening Day roster in 2009 .but played a big role in their run to championship 27.

This was the start of his dominate career as a reliever. Robertson did make the Yankees 2010 Opening Day roster and had a solid season.

https://twitter.com/davidtabrown/status/978639829603938304

His career took off in 2011 as he complied 100 strikeouts, led the league in ERA and holds. Robertson also earned his first All-Star Game nod in 2011 and was named This Year in Baseball’s Setup Man of the Year.  In 2012 Robertson had another great season as he primarily served as Rafael Soriano’s set-up man when Mariano Rivera went down with a torn ACL.

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In 2013, Robertson was the set-up man for Rivera in his final season and was fantastic. He pitched in 70 games and had an ERA of 2.04. When Rivera retired in 2014 Robertson became the Yankees closer. Robertson posted amazing numbers as Rivera’s replacement and many thought the Yankees would lock him up. They ultimately did not and when he turned down their qualifying offer he signed a 4 year 64 million dollar deal with the White Sox.

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White Sox Career:

Robertson was the White Sox closer for his two and half seasons he spent with the Sox. He was solid and proved that he was a dominate major league closer. Throughout his time in Chicago it was speculated that the White Sox would trade him. They eventually did last year when they decided to enter a rebuild. They eventually dealt him back to the Yankees along with Tommy Kahnle and Todd Frazier.

Second Stint in Pinstripes:

When Robertson returned to the Yankees it felt like he never actually did leave, he is personally my favorite reliever in all of baseball. Robertson showed why he belongs in Pinstripes as he was a leader in the pen and team that helped propel the team back to the playoffs. He was amazing in the Wild Card Game as he pitched in 3 1/3 and threw 52 pitches which was his career high.

Robertson is entering the final year of his contract that he signed with the White Sox. I expect the Yankees will resign him once the season ends because they realize that he needs to finish his career with the Yankees. Robertson will have give Aaron Boone the luxury of inserting him wherever he needs him to, most likely in the 8th and also in some save opportunities. Robertson is glad to be back in the Bronx and the whole Yankees Universe is glad to have D-Rob back for a full season.

New York Yankees: The Ellsbury Effect

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Decisions, Decisions, Decisions…

With the start of the Major League regular season a week away, the New York Yankees have a decision that needs to be made:

Who is making the roster to replace the oft injured Jacoby Ellsbury? Jacoby was at one time and six hours North of the Bronx a very productive Major League ballplayer. However, throughout his time in the pinstripes, Ellsbury has been less than a shell of his former self.

Ellsbury has played for the Yankees across four seasons, in that time he has only managed to have one season above “replacement level” production (2014), according to Baseball Reference’s OPS+. 2014 was Jacoby’s first season in the Bronx and his last truly productive season.

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Now, with Ellsbury set to begin the season on the shelf, this opens up a spot on the 25-man roster to “Break Camp” with the team heading North. Manager Aaron Boone told members of the media that Tyler Wade has made the ball club. Many believe that he will be the starting second baseman on Opening Day in Toronto on March 29th.

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The Yankees current roster consists of:

Catchers: Gary Sanchez & Austin Romine
First Baseman: Greg Bird
Second Basemen: Tyler Wade & Neil Walker
Third Baseman: Brandon Drury
Shortstop: Didi Gregorius & Ronald Torreyes
Left Fielder: Brett Gardner
Center Fielder: Aaron Hicks
Right Fielders: Aaron Judge & Giancarlo Stanton
Starting Pitcher: Luis Severino, Mashiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Sonny Gray & Jordan Montgomery
Relief Pitchers: David Robertson, Dellin Betances, Tommy Kahnle, Chad Green, Adam Warren & Chasen Shreve
Closer: Aroldis Chapman

Who Gets A Shot ?

That gives you 24 out of 25 players to start out the 2018 season for the New York Yankees. The injury to Ellsbury leaves an opening. Some who have thought that it could have been someone like Tyler Austin who was having a tremendous Spring, but he was reassigned back to Minor League camp on March 21st before the Yankees game against the Orioles. This however does leave the opening for the starter in the same game…. Luis Cessa.

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Cessa has been up and down for the Yankees since his acquisition by the Yankees in December of 2015. Cessa has pitched 106 innings for the Yankees to the tune of a 4.49 era. Luis will have an opportunity to show what he has earlier in the season as the Yankees will have five straight games to open up the start of the regular season.

The injury to Ellsbury could have been the golden ticket to the Bronx for a premium talent like Clint Frazier, however, they both went down at similar times and have stayed out recovering. Clint won’t be getting that opportunity.

This season will be a defining point for Clint Frazier, as with the number of outfielders already on the Major League roster and an impending free agent who hasn’t been shy about stating his fandom for the Pinstripes looming. Frazier once healed up from his concussion must set the world by storm, if he has any hopes of staying in Pinstripes.

Lasting Impression:

Jacoby, much like Clint Frazier, has seen the writing on the wall. And while his contract is rather cumbersome, it’s not impossible to think GM Brian Cashman can sell his talents to another team and move his monetary obligations elsewhere.

Ellsbury’s injury will be a foreshadowing of the potential future the Yankees will have. If the first few weeks of the season pass and Ellsbury has not returned vying that 25th spot on the roster, he may be replaced by a rising prospect.

Jacoby Ellsbury will have a major effect on the Yankees success this season; when healthy he could be a productive fourth outfielder, if unhealthy his spot will provide the launching pad for the top prospects in the top sixth farm system in all of baseball.

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