With the signing of two-time All-Star Alex Bregman, the Boston Red Sox took the last big-name free agent of the 2024-2025 MLB offseason off the board. Bregman reported to the Red Sox spring training camp in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday morning. But there are still 95 lesser-known free agents waiting to sign contracts with new teams.
According to the co-host of one popular Boston Red Sox podcast, “Play Tessie,” the Red Sox should make one more signing from that list of 95.
Specifically, the podcast’s Sammy James urged Boston to sign former New York Yankees right-handed relief pitcher David Robertson. The 39-year-old, 16-year veteran and member of the silver medal-winning 2021 USA Olympic baseball team “seems like the obvious final piece for the 2025 Red Sox. The cherry on top of an already strong roster,” James wrote on Friday.
The Red Sox closer for the past two seasons was future Hall of Famer Kenley Jansen, who at age 37 needs 32 more saves to pass Lee Smith for third-place on the all-time list. But the Red Sox and Jansen parted ways on awkward terms at the end of his two-year contract. The 15-year veteran will not be filling the closer’s role for the Red Sox in 2025. Earlier this week, he agreed to terms on a one-year, $10 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.
Robertson was drafted by the Yankees out of Alabama in 2006. Despite going in the 17th round, a draft position that rarely leads to major league success, Robertson was handed the Yankees’ closer job in 2014, replacing all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera, who retired after the 2013 season.
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In his seventh big league season, Roberston proved undaunted by taking over for the legendary Rivera. He went on to save 39 games in 44 opportunities, which allowed him to sign a four-year, $40 million free agent contract with the Chicago White Sox after the 2014 season. He saved another 71 in 85 chances for Chicago over the next two seasons, only to find himself traded back to the Yankees in July 2017.
Roberston went on to play for six more teams, most recently the Texas Rangers, for whom he compiled an ERA of 3.00 in 72 innings over 68 appearances. Though a native of Birmingham, Alabama, Robertson lives with his wife and two children in Barrington, R.I., about an hour’s drive from Fenway Park.
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“He’s 40 years old in April, so conceivably would be more than willing to take a one-year deal. Lives in nearby Rhode Island,” James wrote. “Looked great in 2024 with 99 K’s over 72 IP, 3.00 ERA (2.65 FIP). He has closing experience, AL East experience, playoff experience, etc. He’s also his own agent, which is interesting.”
It is true that Robertson represents himself in contract negotiations. According to a projection by Spotrac, the veteran reliever should merit a one-year, $7.1 million deal in 2025.
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