Robertson to Nationals still possibility for Chicago White Sox
Bovada came out with its first major-league baseball win totals Tuesday, and the numbers did not add up for the Chicago White Sox.
According to the popular sportsbook, the Sox have a 69.5 win total for the upcoming season. The White Sox are tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for second-lowest amount of wins, with the San Diego Padres last at 66.5.
The White Sox are rebuilding, but so far ace starting pitcher Chris Sale and outfielder Adam Eaton are the only notable players absent from last year's 78-win team.
Bovada must be listening to Sox general manager Rick Hahn, who repeatedly has said the rebuild is still in the early stages and he is waiting on the right offers for other veterans.
If starter Jose Quintana is now at the top of Hahn's trade list, David Robertson is very close behind.
Even if Bovada's projected win total for the White Sox is low, it is extremely doubtful the South Siders are going to be playoff contenders this season.
Given that fact, why employ an established closer like Robertson?
The Sox have been shopping Robertson for months, and there is still a chance he's traded before the end of spring training.
Robertson acknowledged his uncertain status when he reported to spring training.
"It's tough because there's nothing I can really do," the 31-year-old reliever said. "I can't control anything about it, so I just try to put it in the back of my mind. Just come to the field and do the work I need to do and whatever decisions this organization makes is what they're going to do. I only have a choice, play baseball."
Don't be surprised if Robertson winds up joining Eaton in Washington at some point.
The Nationals are a team built for the playoffs, but they still are in desperate need of a closer after failing to land Mark Melancon or Kenley Jansen during the off-season.
Robertson is not as good as the aforementioned closers, but he did save 71 games in 85 opportunities while going 11-8 with a 3.44 ERA in his first two seasons with the White Sox.
Money appears to be an issue in a Robertson trade to the Nats. The right-hander is owed $12 million this year and $13 million next season, and Washington reportedly wants the Sox to eat some of that salary.
As for a return, Robertson is not going to bring back much, but the White Sox likely are interested in a young catcher such as Jose Lobaton or Pedro Severino.
The Mets and Astros are two other contenders that could have an interest in Robertson.