Yankees focus should shift to Zach Britton after missing out on David Robertson

David Robertson will not return to the Yankees in 2019 after he signed a two-year deal with an option for a third with the Philadelphia Phillies. With Robertson now off the table, New York’s focus should shift to re-signing Zach Britton by any means necessary.

This now marks the second time in five years Robertson has signed a free agent deal with another team and left the Yankees. He had a great career in pinstripes and will go down as one of the best relievers in franchise history. Losing him will hurt but the Yankees still have plenty of money to spend on Britton who is one of the top two relievers left on the free agent market.

Former Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel is considered to be the top free agent reliever yet to sign but I would much rather have Britton and so would the Yankees. According to reports, the Yanks are the favorites to bring back Britton and have been for several weeks. The Phillies were also strongly in the mix to land Britton but the signing of D-Rob probably means they’re now out of the running. That only increases the Yankees chances to sign him.

If the Yanks are going to bring back Britton they’re likely going to have to give him at least a three-year deal. I don’t think that’s something they were willing to offer Robertson even though it’s unclear whether or not they made him an offer at all. Britton is two years younger than D-Rob and still in the prime of his career so they should prioritize signing him anyway.

Britton said last September that he would love to return to New York and that he’s open to pitching in whatever role is asked of him. He was solid as the Yankees seventh-inning man after they acquired him prior to the trade deadline this past season and if he were to return he could fill that same role behind Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman.

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He could also close when needed which is definitely a possibility given Chapman’s injury history over the past couple of seasons. Britton was arguably the best closer in baseball with the Orioles from 2014-2016 and would be the best option to replace Chapman should he land on the DL again in 2019.

Next offseason the Yankees could lose both Betances and Chapman to free agency if the ladder decides to invoke his opt-out clause. Losing either one would be a big blow but if the Yanks already had Britton in the fold it would be a lot easier to accept.

I doubt they would let both walk, so if they could re-sign one of the two to pair with Britton at the back end the bullpen would still be a major strength moving forward.

Right now there are other relievers still available like Adam Ottavino, Kelvin Herrera and Cody Allen but the Yankees seem to have their sights set on Britton, as they should. They know that if they can re-sign him their bullpen next season will be a major strength once again and one that could help lead them deep into the postseason.

They now that a full season with a healthy Britton could be a game changer for them. I’m sure he’s garnered plenty of interest from other teams and maybe even received better offers but a reunion with the Yankees makes too much sense. I’d be shocked if he’s not back in pinstripes in 2019.