Free Agent Targets: Elite Closers
If the Angels want to go after a more sexy alternative at closer then Adam Ottavino or David Robertson may be guys to look at. Ottavino is flat out filthy but is a risk as he has never been a full-time closer and has been very inconsistent in his seven-year career. Ottavino had three seasons of sub-3.00 ERA and three years that have been mediocre to terrible seasons with one injury-plagued season in 2015 mixed in right in the middle. His price tag will be at least 12 to 14 million dollars per season.
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Robertson, who has been linked to the Angels, on the other hand has been very strong over his career closing for both the Yankees and the Chicago White Sox. Robertson has been downright nasty throughout his 11-year career in the big leagues. Robertson was the primary set-up man for the greatest closer in baseball history Mariano Rivera early in his career.
He then had the unenviable task of being Rivera’s replacement in 2014 and performed admirably locking down 39 of 44 save opportunities with an ERA of 3.08 and a WHIP of 1.06 holding opponents to a .196 batting average. But it wasn’t good enough as the Yankees shipped Robertson to the White Sox.
Robertson again performed admirably converting 85 of 101 save opportunities with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP holding opponents to a.194 batting average in 2.5 seasons in Chicago’s South Side. Then it was back to the Yankees again for another solid 1.5 seasons with a 2.50 ERA a 0.82 WHIP and holding opponents to a .162 batting average.
The only downside of Robertson is that he is turning 34 this season so he may be up for a decline. Robertson could command as much as 12 million dollars per season, but with the plethora of relievers on the market the Angels might be able to get him for less.
So let’s see what Mr. Eppler still has up his sleeve for his grand finale to the 2018-19 off-season. We should find out soon.