Mariano Rivera recorded 652 career saves with the New York Yankees, but heading into the 2014 season the question is who will be the next person to earn a save in a Yankees uniform? Reports indicate that the Bronx Bombers "are looking at" free agent closer Joe Nathan, but could turn to last season's eighth inning man David Robertson.
According to ESPN, the Yankees seemed geared to promote from within and elevate Robertson to the closer's role in 2014 after Rivera announced that 2013 would be his last season, but now that Nathan is on the market and hasn't been given a qualifying offer from the Texas Rangers, the Yanks may look to bring him in, keeping Robertson in the eighth inning role where he's thrived.
ESPN reports that with Nathan, Grant Balfour and Fernando Rodney all on the list of free agent closers, the team may look to bring one of them into the fold.
"It's on the list of potential things that [the Yankees] are looking at," a source told ESPN on Wednesday. "It may not be at the top of the list, but it's there."
Nathan, who will turn 39 on Nov. 22, closed out 43 games in 46 opportunities this season with a 1.39 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP, but ESPN reports he is seeking a three-year deal which would keep him on the roster into his 40s, which is a risk for the Yankees. Rivera, who retired at age 43 but was one of a kind, finished his swansong season with 44 saves out of 51 chances, a 2.11 ERA and a 1.047 WHIP.
Balfour, meanwhile, converted 38 saves and compiled a 2.59 ERA with a 1.197 WHIP while Rodney notched 37 saves to go along with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.335 WHIP.
The Yankees could end up sticking with Robertson, who appeared in 70 games and compiled a 5-1 record with a 2.04 ERA to go along with a 1.040 WHIP, 77 strikeouts and 18 walks.
On top of the closer role, it has been rumored that Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips is on New York's' radar in the event that the Yankees can't come to terms with free agent Robinson Cano, who is looking to net a big deal in the range of $300 million, which would make the Yankees hopes of staying under the luxury tax a bit slimmer. Since Phillips is under the Reds control for the next four years, the Yankees would have to give up a pretty good amount in return to land him.
ESPN also reported that the Yankees were looking for an upgrade at catcher, and peeked in on Brian McCann of the Atlanta Braves, who is a free agent this offseason.
It remains to be seen what moves the Yankees will make, but their offseason promises to be an interesting one, and whoever gets the ninth inning role will look to fill the shoes of the greatest closer of all-time.
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