David Robertson should be the Yankees' closer in '14

David Robertson says that he’s ready to take over for Mariano Rivera, baseball’s all-time saves leader, as the New York Yankees’ closer next season — and I believe him.

"I think I’ve got the stuff to do it," Robertson told the NY Post Saturday at a charity event. "It’s just a matter of coming out there and doing it. It’s the same thing as throwing the eighth inning. You got to get three outs, but there is no one behind you."

For the past few seasons, Robertson has been sitting in the bullpen with Rivera, leading the way for Mo to come into the game in the 9th inning to do his thing. Now that Rivera is gone, someone has to step up and take his place. Not only should Robertson be the top choice, but he deserves to be the top choice.

Sorry to do this, but click here to read the rest of my column on yanksgoyard.com.

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Cashman Isn't Sure If Robertson Is Ready To Close

For the first time in a long time, the Yankees will be looking for someone to take over the roles as the teams closer, and at the moment, there's no definite answer for the questions we're all asking: Who's going to close games for the Yankees next season?

General Manager Brian Cashman spoke to the media this afternoon during the GM meetings in Orlando, Florida, and he said some things that could only push the answer a little farther away.

Cashman said that he's exploring all options when it comes to who will be closing out games for the Yankees next season. Joe Girardi will be having to ball off to someone new in the 9th inning for the first time next season after Rivera retired this offseason.

David Robertson is expected to be the first one in line to get the closing gig after spending the last few years being a very solid 8th inning pitcher, setting up the bridge to Mariano in the 9th.

Cashman said, though, that he's not sure Robertson is ready to fill the shoes of baseball's greatest closer, and that's why he could be looking at bringing someone else in.

“I’m not sure Robertson is capable yet." he said. "He’s never done that before. I think he’s earned the right to take a shot at it. And he very well may be the guy. But we're not anointing him the guy. We'll wait and see how our winter plays out, and then how our spring training works out. Then Joe [Girardi] and Larry [Rothschild] will determine at some point at the end of spring training who our closer is.”

Cashman was asked if experienced closers like Joe Nathan and Grant Balfour are the types of pitchers that the team is targeting.

“I’ve heard from their agents. I’m going to explore every option out there. again, our team has a lot of areas to fill. And the bullpen, as a collective, is weakened now with the loss of Mariano Rivera and the loss of, currently, Boone Logan, who is a free agent. So we need to improve in that area. So whether it’s big names or small names, I need to look at all of them.”

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