David Robertson, K/9, and the Next Yankees Closer

Manager bias and usage is why:
Most managers use their closer in “save” situations. This usually means 9th inning with a 1-3 run lead.
Almost anybody can do this job at an acceptable pace (see Valverde, Jose, and Soriano, Rafael).
But the highest leverage moment in the game often falls to a set up manager that the manager trusts. 7th inning, 2 on, up by one; 6th inning down one with a man on first; etc. I want my most electric pitcher available at that moment. Stick D-rob with the “closer” title, and the Yankees will immediately lose value.
Also, D-rob’s BB/9 is not good. There are days when he just doesn’t have it. Managers almost never go get their closer; they show their “faith” by losing the game instead. D-rob seems to me like the kind of pitcher you have to be prepared to “go get” every once in a while.

He’s the only attractive ‘13 free agent closer with a proven track record and won’t turn 30 y/o until August that year. I’m not in favor of this since we saw how the Soriano signing turned out.

both of them would be good enough. Soriano won’t be here long enough to assume the role.

It will also depress D-Rob’s and Joba’s future arbitration salaries.

My guess is if Rivera retires Soriano closes in ’13, then Joba gets the job…a…if his arm holds up. I really think it should go to Robertson, but will go to whoever throws the hardest.

I don’t care who it is.

I love D-Rob. He’s ridiculous. And yes, he should definitely be our closer whenever Mo leaves. My only issue with using our best reliever as a closer is that we will only see him in the 9th inning of save situations. Girardi manages the bullpen really well, for the most part, but I dislike his stubbornness when D-Rob or Mo, for example, throw like, 12 pitches in an inning and he won’t send them out for another (if needed, in Mo’s case). Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want him to Torre any of our best relievers, but I do think there’s a happy medium between the 2 that would benefit everyone. D-Rob can pitch in any situation, but he’s called Houdini for a reason. I’d hate to have 2 on or the bases loaded with less than 2 outs in the 7th or 8th and not be able to have D-Rob come in because it’s not the 9th. That whole 7th, 8th, 9th Inning Guy crap has got to go, it limits us from putting our best guys in when they’re needed.

I’m hoping Joba comes back healthy and dominant, which would be amazing and pretty much render my complaint pointless, at least for now. If Hughes can’t make it as a starter next season for whatever reason, then he would be another great addition to the BP. Definitely keep Wade and Logan, too, I guess, and I’ll be happy.