Yankees likely to offer Robertson; Kuroda iffy

The Yankees are serious about keeping closer David Robertson. (USATSI)

The Yankees appear to be leaning strongly toward extending the $15.3-million qualifying offer to star closer David Robertson, and while they haven’t made the ultimate call on veteran starter Hiroki Kuroda, they don’t seem especially likely to make him the same offer.

The Yankees very much want to keep Robertson, and while they may view the $15.3-million salary as a tad high (the record for a reliever is Mariano Rivera’s $15-million salary), they seem to prefer to protect themselves with the possibility of a draft choice should Robertson sign elsewhere. Robertson would seem in excellent position to get a multiyear deal following a strong performance again last year. Robertson, only 29, had 39 saves, a 4-5 record, .308 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 2014.

Jack Curry of the YES Network reported the Yankees would extend the qualifying offer to Robertson, though there’s no word that it’s been done yet. Monday is the deadline for such calls.

There is some belief Kuroda could retire, anyway, but it is hard to see anyone signing him to his usual one-year deal for more than $15.3 million and being willing to give up the draft choice. The $15.3 million salary probably isn’t too far above Kuroda’s value, though, making the choice difficult. He was 11-9 with a 3.71 ERA this past year.

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