The role of closer has drastically changed since the 2016 World Series. The Indians use of Andrew Miller and the Cubs use of Aroldis Chapman proved just how important relief pitching is.
The revolution of the relief pitcher was proven when Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon all shattered the record for most money given to a closer. All three signed to deals well over $50 million with Chapman and Jansen breaking $80 million.
Teams in the playoff hunt now understand how important it is to have a lights-out closer. With the game on the line in the ninth inning, a team would rather have their $80 million dollar man on the mount rather than just the average pitcher.
However only three teams were able to sign one of the top closers in free agency. While the Yankees (Chapman), Dodgers (Jansen) and Giants (Melancon) lucked out, not every team was as lucky.
Greg Holland was considered the fourth best option at closer. But coming off of an injury riddled season, teams were reluctant to sign him. Regardless, the Colorado Rockies shocked the baseball world by bringing signing Holland to a one year deal.
With the top four closers now off the board, teams will have to start looking towards the trade market to add their ninth inning pitcher. One of the those teams is the Washington Nationals.
The Nats were connected to all four closers prior to their signings. Washington is a perennial playoff team, but they need a dominant closer to help put them over the top. Currently, Shawn Kelley is slated to be their closer.
With all of the top free agent closers now off the board, it appears as if Washington could set their sites on White Sox closer David Robertson.
Robertson is arguably the best closer available on the trade market. He holds a career 2.97 ERA with a 685/211 K/BB ratio. Robertson also has 118 career saves including atleast 34 the past three seasons. The White Sox closer is being paid just $25 million over the next two seasons, a completely modest amount compared to the contracts of Chapman/Jansen/Melancon.
The Nats and White Sox have already matched up on a deal with Adam Eaton heading to the nation's capital. With both front offices comfortable with each other, the Washington Nationals seem like the most likely landing spot for David Robertson.
For what it's worth, one American League scout has already predicted that Robertson will be the Nationals Opening Day closer.
https://twitter.com/DFappiano14/status/825166865135579136
While the Nationals seem like Robertson's likely trade destination, it doesn't mean they're the only team interested in the White Sox closer. A new report states that another has joined the David Robertson pursuit.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe recently reported that the White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays have had discussions revolving around Robertson.
Cafardo reports that Toronto's bullpen is a position of weakness on the team. The Blue Jays lost both Brett Cecil and Joaquin Benoit in free agency, leaving Roberto Osuna and Jason Grilli to handle much of the load. The team is looking into adding a quality late-inning reliever, and Robertson could be their man.
Osuna is currently the Blue Jays closer. Osuna has been in the MLB for the past two seasons, appearing in 140 games and 143.2 innings. He holds a career 5-9 record with a 2.63 ERA and a 157/30 K/BB ratio. Osuna has 56 career saves.
The Blue Jays closer is a rising star in the MLB. Last season he held a 2.68 ERA with a 82/14 K/BB ratio, saving 36 games in the process. There is a less than 0% chance that the Blue Jays remove him from the closer's role.
However a 1-2 punch of Robertson and Osuna would give the Blue Jays one of the best in the MLB. Osuna is also just 21, if he ever struggles Robertson could fill in immediately. Overall Robertson would give the Blue Jays talented bullpen depth and an elite setup man. As Toronto looks to compete against the likes of the Red Sox and the Indians for the AL pennant, Robertson could be their missing piece.
As for what the White Sox could receive for Robertson, the Blue Jays currently have three players in the top 100 prospects. As the site reveals their 2017 rankings, there's a good chance Toronto adds a fourth in Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
It's likely that Rick Hahn would ask for one of Richard Urena (74), Sean Reid-Foley (76) or Anthony Alford (87). Outside of the three, Toronto does have a talented catcher in Reese McGuire, however it appears as if the team is willing to let Zack Collins earn a spot behind the dish. Toronto doesn't have the deepest farm system, but they have talented prospects who could facilitate a deal.
Even after this report the Nationals remain the heavy favorites. However Toronto has the interest and the prospect pool to get it done.
If the Blue Jays start getting desperate about their bullpen depth, there's a chance that David Robertson is moved from the South Side, all the way to north of the border.
Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14
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