After the New York Yankees had their postseason in 2018 ended in four games at the hands of their AL East rival Boston Red Sox, it seems the Bronx Bombers could be playing catch-up on the hot stove market as well.
Following the premature exit in the playoffs, one of the top priorities is solving the team's bullpen situation in the offseason. Two names atop that list, free-agent relievers David Robertson and Zach Britton, have apparently drawn some interest from the chief rivals of the Bronx Bombers -- the Boston Red Sox.
That's the reporting coming courtesy of the New York Post's George A. King III, who spoke with a source familiar with Boston's interest in the two former Yankee relievers.
"The Red Sox are in for less," the source said in reference to Robertson landing a three-year deal with Boston. As far as Britton is concerned, he could be an option at closer if Craig Kimbrel decides to leave Boston in free agency.
Robertson, who left the Yankees to join the White Sox in 2015 before returning to New York in 2017, will turn 34 in April. Britton turns 31 in December. Neither has closed the door on a return for 2019 quite yet.
Nonetheless, some other names that have surfaced as options for the Yankees include former Indians southpaw Andrew Miller and Rockies right-hander Adam Ottavino.
After joining the Yankees at the trade deadline in July, Britton tallied 25 appearances in pinstripes and worked to a 2.88 ERA in 25 innings pitched. Robertson saw action in 69 ballgames last year, pitching to a 3.23 ERA in 69.2 innings. It was Robertson's heaviest workload since pitching in 70 games for the Yankees back in 2013.
Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has a clause to opt out following the 2019 season, which could necessitate more of a need to bring back both Robertson and Britton to bolster the ranks.