Bomber Bites With Jumping Joe–Why David Robertson Should Take the Qualifying Offer

David Robertson has a big decision to make and the deadline for making that decision is fast approaching. After exceling the past season for the Yankees as the replacement for the greatest closer of all-time, Mariano Rivera, the Bombers offered Robertson a qualifying offer of $15.3 million to forgo free agency and stay in the Bronx. 

More from Yankees News

• Aaron Judge’s influence on Carlos Rodón shows he’s more powerful than Yankees
• Yankees sign 2022 Red Sox reliever, invite him to spring training
• Yankees trade Lucas Luetge for 2 intriguing Braves prospects after DFA
• Never forget Miguel Andújar wrecked Yankees’ Nolan Arenado trade
• Diamondbacks outfielder’s comment on Carlos Rodón’s IG raises eyebrows

Should Robertson choose to reject the offer, he will be an unrestricted free agent, capable of signing with any team he wishes.  However, if he rejects the offer and signs with another team, the Yankees will receive draft pick compensation from the team he signs with.

While all 22 players who have thus far been offered a qualifying offer under the current collective bargaining agreement having rejected it, the market for their services have plummeted.  Last season, Nelson Cruz had to settle for only $8 million instead of the $14.1 million qualifying offer. Even worse, Stephen Drew rejected the qualifying offer and couldn’t find employment until the season was two months old.

David Robertson should become the first player to accept the qualifying offer and resign with the Yankees for another season.  The $15.3 million would be a substantial raise from the $5.2 million he made this past season.  In fact, it would make him the highest paid closer in the majors, besting current leader Jonathan Papelbon’s $13 million. So Robertson would surely not be underpaid if he takes the offer.

If Robertson hits the open market, no one will pay him more than the $15.3 million offer per year. He is also unlikely to find offers longer than about 3-4 years. The type of offer he is likely to find as the best closer on the market with draft pick compensation is around 3 years and $30 million. The days of closers, and relief pitchers in general, signing big money, long term contracts are a thing of the past. There is just too many examples of bad contracts. In addition, a number of suitors who would otherwise have a need for closer may be scared off by the draft pick requirement.

Robertson is going to get paid well by taking the offer, and if he has another good season, he might be able to sign a bigger deal with the Yankees or another team next offseason. Even if he takes the qualifying offer this season and next, he will likely make the same amount of money as he would by signing the multi-year off now, but do it in fewer seasons which will increase his overall earning potential.

It makes sense for Robertson to be the first player to take the qualifying offer from a financial standpoint and also from a player standpoint. Robertson has played for the Yankees his entire career and loved the opportunity to take over from Rivera. He should take the opportunity to be the highest paid closer in the game and pitch the ninth in pinstripes in 2015.