BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 42% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: Veteran reliever David Robertson is pitching for his sixth team since 2021, but a week ago he was a speculative-add in the event Texas Rangers closer Jose Leclerc continued to be ineffective and lost his job. Fast forward a week and speculation has become reality, with Leclerc looking shaky again in multiple outings last week, including a blown save. Manager Bruce Bochy stated Friday that Leclerc will pitch in low-leverage situations for the time being.
"I'm excited... just wanna throw some high-leverage innings."
David Robertson signed with the @Rangers in free agency for one thing: a chance to reach the mountaintop again. pic.twitter.com/SDhJTtUE5O
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 1, 2024
This move put Robertson and fellow reliever Kirby Yates in position to close out games for the Rangers. The 39-year-old saved 20 games in 2022 and 18 in 2023, so he's performed well in that role recently. The righty had a strong 29.0% K% in 2023, although his BB% was 9.3% which was higher than the league average (8.6%). So far in 2024, the former All-Star has a 10:4 K:BB and has allowed just two earned runs on seven hits over 10 2/3 IP while recording six Holds. Unfortunately one of the runs he gave up came this week in an opportunity to record a save, which resulted in a blown save for veteran.
Yates in the meantime has recorded two saves this week, so it seems he's the preferred option right now. Robertson is available in over 55% of Yahoo leagues, so if it ends up being a closer-by-committee he would be an appealing add and should chip in a strikeout per inning at the least.
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