It's been known for weeks the Astros have been talking to Free Agent closer David Robertson, but now it appears Robertson wasn't really listening to them.
Instead, it seems, Robertson was just using them for leverage against the Yankees, who have stated numerous times this offseason they're not interested in giving him the four-year deal he wants. The Astros were first said to have contacted Robertson back on November 22, and have been pursuing him ever since.
Houston may have even gone as far as to offer Roberton a three-year/$39 million deal earlier this week, something an anomyous team reportedly did Sunday.
“They think he is using the [Astros] for leverage,’’ a person familiar with the Astros told The New York Post's George King Tuesday, in a potential confirming of the rumor.
And that person wasn't the only one to say so.
Indeed, it's not looking great right now for those who are hoping to see Robertson head to Space City this winter. The Astros are currently attempting to stock up on relievers after recording baseball's highest bullpen ERA in 2014, so being out on Robertson this soon certainly can't help them.
“It sure sounds like it was for leverage,’’ another source said. “He doesn’t fit with the Astros."
In recent days, the Yankees have been openly trying to acquire former Orioles set-up man Andrew Miller, who is said to be asking for much less than Robertson. If Robertson walks and Miller winds up in pinstripes, it's likely the latter will keep pitching eighth innings while Dellin Betances throws ninths, giving the Yankees a solid back end.
Then again, if Robertson's strategy here doesn't make the Yankees budge, it's a safe bet he'll end up just lowering his price tag, a happening that'd probably bring New York back into the picture, anyway.
