MLB Roundup 1/4: David Robertson signs elsewhere

David Robertson signs in Philadelphia

The Red Sox, as we all know, are focusing their attention of finding some relief help. Unfortunately for them, the relief market appears to be the one position in free agency that is starting to move. Before the holidays, guys like Andrew Miller, Joakim Soria and Jeurys Familia, among others, agreed to deals with new teams. There were still some big names available coming out of the holiday season, but another has come off the board. It was perhaps the most likely guy to sign in Boston other than their old closer. David Robertson, the longtime Yankee, has agreed to a two-year deal with the Phillies that includes a third-year team option. Robertson is guaranteed $23 million over the first two years and has an option for $12 million in the third year.

This seems like a steal, and there’s a few different ways to look at the Red Sox not beating this deal. One is simply that they didn’t want Robertson as much as it seemed. I don’t quite believe that, but it’s a nice reminder that we definitely can’t take all of these different reports as gospel. There’s also the possibility that Robertson didn’t want to play in Boston. Again, this seems unlikely given the reports he wanted to stay close to his Rhode Island home. Boston would, of course, be the closest team to that state. Finally, the Red Sox’ focus could have been elsewhere. That seems most likely to me, and this latest development makes me think it’s even more likely the Red Sox will eventually bring Craig Kimbrel back. Then, there’s the other side of this in which the Yankees have lost one of their big relievers, though they still have Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances and Chad Green and are connected to a few of the big names remaining on the market.