One of the White Sox best remaining trade pieces is closer David Robertson. We all saw this offseason how coveted late inning pitching is with Mark Melancon, Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman all receiving contracts over $60 million.
Before free agency was the World Series. In the seven game set both Chapman and Andrew Miller proved just how important great relief pitching was. As team's assemble their 2017 rosters, they're likely looking at the Cubs and Indians for inspiration
Of course, not all teams could have a dominant closer. With Melancon, Chapman and Jansen off the boards, there isn't much left in free agency. There's Greg Holland, but he is coming off of an injury-riddled season. Teams may feel uncomfortable signing him to a high-dollar contract.
Which leads us to Robertson.
The White Sox closer has been in the MLB for the past nine years, playing for the Yankees before the White Sox. In Robertson's 524 career games, he holds a 36-27 record with a 2.97 ERA and a 685/211 K/BB ratio. Robertson has 118 career saves with atleast 34 saves the past three seasons.
Beyond his performance on the mound, teams are interested in Robertson's team-friendly contract. Robertson is making just $25 million over the next two years. Fairly cheap compared to what the big three received this offseason.
In acquiring Robertson, teams are getting one of the better closers in the MLB at a discounted rate. With relief pitching becoming so important in today's MLB, any team with a need at the back end of their bullpen could be interested in Robertson.
The White Sox have more than enough reasons to trade him. The South Siders are going through a rebuild, meaning that talented closers are more of a luxury than a necessity. The team is better off moving Robertson for a high price rather than wasting his potential/contract on throw-away seasons. The White Sox also have reliever Zack Burdi waiting in the wings, who has the potential to be the team's closer of the future.
It still seems likely that Robertson will be traded at some point. The only questions that remain are where, and for what?
The Washington Nationals are one team that has shown interest in the closer. As are the New York Mets and New York Yankees. Teams with known needs at closer such as the Rockies and Royals could perhaps show interest. Robertson's market should be endless, it all comes down to who is willing to pay for his services.
While Robertson has been available, it has been unclear as to what his price would be. He is one of the better closers in the league, but would teams really trade their top prospects for him?
A new report attempts to shine some light on to how much Robertson may cost.
ESPN's Jim Bowden recently wrote an article discussing teams with the biggest holes to fill going into Spring Training. One of the team's were the Washington Nationals, their hole being their lack of closer.
After missing out on Melancon, Jansen and Chapman the Nats are in need of a ninth inning pitcher. They have shown interest in Holland, but could be in the market for Robertson or any other available closer.
Washington's interest in Robertson isn't the interesting part of the story. What's interesting is what Bowden says Robertson would cost. He writes:
The problem in making a trade is that the Nationals already overpaid for Adam Eaton in terms of prospects. They should have expanded that deal to get Robertson, because now it’s almost impossible for them to land Robertson without including top prospect outfielder Victor Robles -- which they are not going to do.
According to Bowden, for the Nationals to land Robertson they would need to include top prospect Victor Robles.
Robles is currently the Nationals best prospect and the 10th best prospect in baseball according to MLB.com. In his 218 minor league games, Robles has hit .306 with 16 homeruns, 94 RBIs and 83 stolen bases.
Robles is one of the best young outfielders in the minor leagues. He is just 20 years old, and is expected to be a perennial All Star once he reaches the MLB.
The White Sox are not going to get Robles from the Nats. But it shows that Rick Hahn is looking for atleast one top prospect in return for Robertson.
The Nats are a hard example due to their farm system being so barren following the Eaton trade. However they do have talent in Pedro Severino, Erick Fedde and Carter Kieboom. It's interest to see that the White Sox would insist on Robles.
That asking price could be the reason Robertson hasn't been traded yet. While he would be a great asset on a playoff bound team, that same team may be reluctant to trade their top young stars.
The White Sox have already added four top 100 prospects, headlined by Yoan Moncada and Lucas Giolito. If they're able to get another one from Robertson, coupled with whatever the team receives for Jose Quintana; Chicago would undoubtedly have the best farm system in the league.
Bowden's report confirms that the White Sox are looking for atleast one top prospect in return for Robertson. While they won't get a player of Robles potential, it seems as if the club could land a player(s) inside the top 100.
David Robertson is still expected to be traded between now and the 2017 Trade Deadline. If Rick Hahn gets his way, atleast one very talented prospect could be headed to the South Side.
Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14.
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