The Chicago White Sox are showing at this week's Winter Meetings that mean to win in 2015. They have already traded for starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, and now they have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with highly-rated costless agent closer David Robertson, formerly of the New York Yankees.
MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports that the contract is for four years and "at least $40 million" but that the White Sox would not comment on it.
Robertson, who will turn 30 just after the new season begins, is CBS Sports.com's #10 costless agent pitcher and second-highest-rated reliever. He saved 39 games in 44 opportunities in 2014, compelling a record of 4-5 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 2.68 FIP, 13.4 K/9 IP, and 1.2 WAR for the Yankees. It was his first season as a closer, taking over for Mariano Rivera, after six very successful seasons as a setup man.
Merkin notes that Robertson does more than give the White Sox a legitimate closer. Robertson's presence allows the other relievers to revert to their intended roles as middle relievers and setup men and leave the high-pressure closer's job to the man who succeeded in the toughest market in baseball in New York. Merkin writes,
"Manager Robin Ventura, who will meet the media on Tuesday, and pitching coach Don Cooper now have the ability to shorten the game with a true ninth-inning presence and a solid starting staff."
Robertson joins Samardzija, Adam LaRoche, and Zach Duke as the newest players to join a revamped White Sox team.