The Boston Red Sox could still use another experienced reliever to deepen their bullpen, but only a few options remain on the free agent market as spring training looms.
The Red Sox targeted elite candidates like Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, along with other great relief options like Tommy Kahnle and Carlos Estévez, but didn't end up signing any of them. Scott and Yates both signed expensive deals with the Dodgers, which Boston was never going to match.
But there is one relief option left who could be within the Red Sox's comfort zone. Chad Jennings of The Athletic on Feb. 7 published a list of final free agent fits for each team, and his choice for Boston is veteran reliever David Robertson.
Robertson is fresh off an excellent season with the Rangers, but has spent most of his 16-year MLB career with the Yankees. He posted nine seasons in pinstripes and earned an All-Star appearance, MVP and Cy Young votes during his 2011 season there when he clocked a 1.08 ERA with 100 strikeouts and 35 walks over 66.2 innings.
The Athletic predicts the Red Sox will sign righty reliever David Robertson to deepen bullpen
Robertson will be 40 years old soon after Opening Day, but age hasn't slowed him down. He logged a 3.00 ERA with 99 strikeouts and 27 walks in 72 innings of work with Texas last season, good for a 96th-percentile strikeout rate, per Baseball Savant.
The righty's age may make him a candidate for a one or two-year deal, which is about all the Red Sox have been comfortable issuing as of late. Boston has plenty of money and financial flexibility to have signed Scott, Yates, or any other of its top relief candidates this winter, but the team's ownership has felt burned by long-term contracts in recent years, especially for pitchers.
Robertson is a Rhode Island resident who may be keen to pitch most of his games close to home. If the Red Sox can sign the veteran, he could join Aroldis Chapman, Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock in the race for the closer job.