Yankees Fans: David Robertson puts the “relief” in the bullpen

When David Robertson returned to the Yankees last season, he quickly became then-manager Joe Girardi’s most trusted reliever.

Thanks to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, trade rumors swirl around veteran Yankees reliever David Robertson. Morosi named Robertson along with

Morosi named Robertson along with Jacoby Ellsbury as one of two players the Yanks could trade in their efforts to both acquire another top veteran starter and keep their payroll below $197 million to reset their luxury tax obligations.

While acknowledging that baseball is a business and tough decisions will be made by clubs, Yankee fans will not be happy if Robertson is traded, particularly since, as Morosi suggests, “the Yankees are shopping opportunistically for value, more so than need.”

Kunj Shah of PinstripeAlley.com pointed out that “not only were his numbers incredible, but he was also doing things he had never done before,” i.e., pitching in long relief, both during the regular season and significantly, in the playoffs.

Shah had said that when Robertson returned to the Yankees last season, he “provided Yankee fans with the sense of comfort and relief that he did in his first go-around with the Yankees.”

Overall for the 2017 season, Robertson compiled a 1.84 ERA with 98 strikeouts and 23 walks. With the Yankees, Robertson had a 1.03 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 35 innings. It’s safe to say Robertson had a career campaign in ’17.

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As a middle reliever for the Yanks last season, Robertson set career highs in innings pitched and pitches thrown. On September 11, he pitched in long relief against the Rays, posting 2.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts and only one hit allowed.

In the Wild Card game versus the Twins, Robertson set another career high in innings pitched with 3.1 and pitches thrown with 52. He struck out five while allowing three hits and one walk in that all-important scoreless outing.

Back in July when he was traded back to the Yankees, Robertson made the statement, “I feel like the old new guy.” The 32-year-old D-Rob played a vital role in the success of the bullpen in ’17, particularly in his new role as a middle reliever.

Fangraphs projects that the Yankee bullpen, comprising Aroldis Chapman, Tommy Kahnle, Chad Green, Dellin Betances and Robertson, will be “possibly historic” in 2018.

Robertson projects to contribute 59.7 innings, a 2.72 ERA, 12.97 K/9, 3.17 BB/9 and a .91 HR/9.

While his walk rate projects a little high, Robertson has historically had a high walk rate (about 1 every 2-3 innings over his career), but this is offset by an outstanding strikeout rate.

Shah points out:

"Robertson has averaged at least one strikeout per inning in every year of his career so far."

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Robertson is a reliever Yankee fans believe in when he takes the mound, whether it’s in middle or short relief. Since coming back to the club last season, Robertson has once again inspired confidence in the bullpen and, in 2018, fans will continue to appreciate the versatile and highly effective role he plays in it.