The New York Yankees have somehow gone nearly two decades without winning the World Series.
Despite regularly fielding one of the sport’s largest payrolls, the Bronx Bombers only own a single pennant since their 2009 title. Errors and Aaron Boone’s questionable management sealed the Yankees’ World Series loss to the Dodgers last October.
The pressure is on the Yankees, who lost perennial MVP candidate Juan Soto to the crosstown Mets, to reach the Fall Classic again. Adding another bullpen arm would certainly help, especially in an extremely competitive American League.
Enter ex-Yankees All-Star and old friend David Robertson.
It’s been a wild ride for Robertson, who debuted with the Yankees back in 2008. Robertson can tell his next set of teammates he’s been around so long, he pitched in the original Yankee Stadium.
Currently a free agent, Robertson posted a 3.00 ERA in 68 games for the Texas Rangers last year. He struck out 99 hitters in 72 innings, his most since racking up 100 punchouts with the Yankees in 2011.
It’s surprising, though, that Robertson remains available. He’s remained highly productive in his late 30s, averaging a 2.82 ERA and recording 258 strikeouts over 201 innings the last three seasons.
The Yankees added two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams this offseason. Why not pair Williams with a reliever known for handling the pressure that comes with wearing the pinstripes?
New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson
Andy Marlin-Imagn Images
Robertson and the Yankees already reunited once. The Bombers acquired Robertson, then with the Chicago White Sox, in the July 2017 trade that brought third baseman Todd Frazier and reliever Tommy Kahnle to the Bronx.
Those Yankees made the ALCS before running into Jose Altuve and a Houston Astros team with a, shall we say, unfair advantage.
Yes, Robertson would be one of the league’s oldest players this year. Age is nothing but a number, though, especially for a veteran seeking a second World Series ring.
