New York Yankees closer David Robertson declined his one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer and now the team needs to figure out a new plan of action. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez did the same with the Los Angeles Dodgers and should have a new team in 2015.
The Yankees next move remains a mystery because they face a predicament with Robertson. They obviously want to keep their incumbent closer who converted 39 of 44 save attempts in 2014, but he's likely looking for a multi-year deal that will pay him a generous annual salary and Brian Cashman probably isn't willing to offer that. New York has a number of other pressing needs, so overpaying for a closer is the last thing they need to do.
New York can promote their young, stellar setup man, Dellin Betances, to the closer position if they don't seek anyone else via free agency. That's their easiest and cheapest decision. However, if Robertson is asking for a contract the Yankees aren't prepared to offer, the team could pursue other relievers such as Andrew Miller (2.02 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 62 IP) and Luke Gregerson (2.12 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 72 1/3 IP) or closers Casey Janssen (3.94 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 25 saves in 45 2/3 IP), Francisco Rodriguez (3.04 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 44 saves in 68 IP) and Sergio Romo (3.72 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 23 saves in 58 IP), who shouldn't be too costly.
The Yankees will have a better idea once Robertson makes a free agency decision.
Similar to Robertson, Hanley Ramirez is a talented player but isn't expected to land the contract he wants. It was said he wanted a deal in the $130 million range, which caused the Dodgers to table negotiations with him earlier this year. His recent health issues and questionable defensive play has many suitors wondering if he'll be worth a lucrative multi-year contract, but that hasn't stopped a number of clubs from expressing their interest.
The Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros have all inquired about the 30-year-old shortstop. Seattle's interest was regarded as serious by USA Today's Bob Nightengale and at this point it's unknown if Boston or Houston are for real. The Red Sox have been the talks of a multitude of topics during this offseason and the Astros are in the middle of a rebuilding project, so their interest in a player such as Ramirez is a bit puzzling.
What we do know is that the new faces in the Dodgers' front office are surely not willing to offer the Ramirez the money he wants. These executives from small market teams are looking to maximize efficiency in the form of smaller contracts, so with ESPN's Jim Bowden predicting Ramirez will land a four-year, $76 million contract, he's out of their plans.
