MLB teams have until five days after the conclusion of the World Series to make qualifying offers to their impending free-agent players. New York Yankees' closer David Roberston is one of those eligible. Former Mets GM Omar Minaya is also speaking with New York about a potential front office job.
Last season, all 13 players who were presented qualifying offers rejected the one-year, $14.1 million deal. It helped some, such as Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ubaldo Jimenez and Shin-Soo Choo. For others, such as Nelson Cruz, Kendrys Morales and Stephen Drew, it didn't go so well. The former all received long-term lucrative contracts while the latter were handcuffed into signing one-year deals for less than the $14.1 million qualifying offer price.
David Robertson had a great year with New York, posting a 4-5 record with a 3.08 ERA and 39 saves in his first full season as the team's closer. However, the Yankees may not be inclined to offer him a long term contract because they have the dominant Dellin Betances as their setup man and it looks like he won't need too much longer to become New York's closer. Additionally, Robertson will come at a much higher price than Betances in the near future, and with over $438 million committed to future payroll after last offseason's spending spree, New York may not want to invest heavily in a closer when they have needs elsewhere.
So the new $15.3 million qualifying offer seems best for both parties, especially since players offered such a contact have draft pick compensation tied to them. This dissuades other teams from signing such players because they must surrender their top draft pick that year (unless it's in the top-10, then their next highest pick is lost). Additionally, there aren't many big market teams - that would be able to offer Robertson the long term lucrative contract he wants - desperately in need of a closing pitcher. If Robertson were to decline the qualifying offer from the Yankees, if/when they present it to him, the closer probably wouldn't attract anything in excess of a one-year $15 million deal after the market fizzles.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post explains it more in-depth.
In other news regarding the Yankees, Erik Boland of Newsday reports that Omar Minaya could join the team's front office next season. Minaya has been with the San Diego Padres since 2011 as the senior vice president of baseball operations. Prior to that, he was the general manager of the New York Mets from 2004-2010.
Although reports have mentioned "serious dialogue" between the two sides, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News wrote that there are no discussions about a job. Yankees' GM Brian Cashman is friends with Minaya and they typically speak often, so there isn't much to read into, but he mentions it's worth keeping an eye on throughout the fall and winter.
The Yankees should be one of the more discussed ball clubs this offseason, as they have many areas to address before 2015.
