BREAKING: David Robertson Officially Declines Yankees Qualifying Offer

David Robertson has officially rejected the New York Yankees Qualifying Offer for 1 year, $15.3 million dollars, as reported by the YES Network’s Jack Curry. He had until 5PM Eastern to decide.

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The offer would have made Robertson the highest paid closer in the history of baseball. However, he is looking for long term stability. This does not mean that he won’t return to the Yankees in 2015, but if he does not, the Yankees will now receive a compensation pick in next year’s MLB draft.

Robertson had 39 saves with a 3.08 ERA. He blew 5 games, most notably Derek Jeter’s final game in Yankee Stadium. Luckily for Robertson, Jeter won that game with an RBI single in the bottom of the 9^th. If not for that, he could have lost millions this off-season. He could be looking at a contract similar to Jonathon Papelbon’s 4 year, $50 million dollar deal. Realistically, it would not be surprising for him to land a deal near 4 years and $55 million dollars.

The Yankees have Dellin Betances waiting to take over the 9^th inning job if Robertson does leave the Bronx. Betances had one of the best seasons from a Major League reliever ever. He had a 5-0 record with a 1.40 ERA in 70 games with 135 strikeouts in 90.0 innings. He is under team control for years to come at pennies on the dollar. He is not even arbitration eligible until the 2017 season. Essentially, the Yankees could have one of the best closers in baseball next season for roughly $500,000.

David Robertson did a fantastic job filling in for a retired Mariano Rivera this season. However, with a 3.08 ERA and a very cheap option waiting in the wings, we may have seen the last of Robertson in pinstripes.