2018 Pinstripe Preview: David Robertson

By -

Midway through the 2017 season, Robertson was brought back to his former team in a blockbuster trade. He certainly had some lows throughout the season, especially in some big moments, but he was overall exceptional for the Yanks. There were rumors going around this offseason that Robertson could potentially be moved to free up cap room to sign a big name free agent. Although this could've been entertained by the front office, these rumors were likely not at all true as Robertson is a fan favorite and arguably the Yankees best, most consistent reliever.


Photo Credit: Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports



2017 Review
Through the inconsistencies of Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman last season, Robertson provided a stable for the Yanks out of the bullpen. After coming over from the White Sox and returning to his former team, he pitched lights out for a team that surprisingly needed bullpen help. In 35 innings with the Yanks, D Rob allowed just four runs (1.03 ERA) while only allowing 14 hits and striking out 51 (13.1 K/9). For the year, in 61 games between the White Sox and Yankees, Robertson accumulated a 2.9 WAR, Wins Above Replacement, with 1.8 of that coming with the runner-up in the AL. In the playoffs, one outing put a major dent to his overall numbers. Down two runs heading into the bottom of the eighth of the ALCS, Robertson got shelled by the Astros offense, allowing four runs, all earned, while not even registering an out in the inning. That performance led to the Astros easily taking that Game 6 and going on to winning the series. He struggled in a few moments for the Yanks, but overall one can't ask for much more.

Photo Credit: Elsa/Getty Images

2018 Preview
For the 2018 season it'll certainly be interesting to see the kind of role Robertson has in the bullpen. Chapman has the closer spot locked up, as he looked like he returned to the normal flamethrower we’re used to at the end of 2017. Betances is unlikely to compete for the setup role, at least until he can be trusted and get his control down, if ever. Adam Warren isn't a threat to taking away high leverage situations from Robertson either. Chad Green, who may have been even better than Robertson last season, could potentially compete with Robertson for that eighth inning role, but with him reportedly coming into Spring Training as a starter, that's unlikely for now. Tommy Kahnle is certainly a gamer, but David Robertson is overall probably the most trusted guy in the bullpen. He should still be pitching in plenty of close game situations, even with a what should be revitalized bullpen.

Robertson is as consistent as it gets and has also been known for his durability during his time in the majors. A team with high expectations that had their 2017 season ended in a disappointing way, David Robertson will be a crucial part to getting this team back to the ALCS and potentially the World Series.

Article by: Spencer Schultz



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Introducing Bronx Bomber Bets: BBBets 9/23

By -
Image
Welcome to our new gambling column at BBB, Bronx Bomber Bets. Here we will be giving out some of our favorite picks of the day and sharing them with our readers. Today, we are giving out 10 picks for all of you, so please enjoy, and bet responsibly. Now, we know that not all of our readers are big gamblers, if they are gamblers at all, so for the first week or so that we give out picks we will be explaining the odds and gambling terminology for anyone out there who is looking to learn about sports betting. Here are our picks:
Read more

Trade Market the Perfect Storm for Yankees to Acquire Starter

By -
Image
 UPDATE D 11/18/15 We’ve all heard it: The Yankees aren’t likely to be big spenders this offseason. Hearing this makes me chuckle as the Yankees have the dollars to field a $500 million pay roll if they wanted to, but their dedication to winning just hasn’t been there since the passing of good ole’ George. Sure little rumors have serviced here or there about them maybe pursuing Zach Greinke who has recently opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but that move reeks of the move CC Sabathia pulled in opting out of his contract with the Yankees a few years back to simply restructure his contract and make a better payday.   However, instances like CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka are why I believe the Yankees aren’t going to shell out big money and a long term contract for a big name starter this year. There are simply too many factors that could explode in the Pinstripes’ face when giving a long contract to a starter as evidenced by Sabathia’s fall from g...
Read more

Pride, Passion and Pinstripes: The greatest Yankees to ever touch the field

By -
Image
No team in baseball history has a story quite like the Yankees. 27 times they’ve found baseball Nirvana which is 16 more than the next closest team (Cardinals). 40 times have the Yankees won the American League, and that is also a major league record. The franchise won four straight championships from 1936-1939 and five straight from 1949-1953, a task no other team has ever accomplished. With all this sustained success, the team has seen some of the greatest players in league history proudly call the Bronx home. Together the Yankees could field multiple All-Star teams with their collective legends, but in this article, I’m going to try and put together a team of legends that I think would be absolutely unbeatable.   Photo Credit: Creative Commons
Read more