Frequently Asked Questions
Who is David Robertson and why do the White Sox want to trade him?
David Robertson is the White Sox closer who has appeared in 524 games with a career 2.97 ERA, 685 strikeouts, and 118 career saves including at least 34 in each of the past three seasons. He is on a team-friendly contract worth $25 million over two seasons. The White Sox have been actively shopping him throughout the offseason as part of their rebuild.
Why do the Washington Nationals need a closer so badly?
The Nationals' best closer options heading into 2017 are Shawn Kelley, Blake Treinen, and Koda Glover, none of whom have significant MLB save experience. With a World Series-caliber roster featuring Max Scherzer, Bryce Harper, and Trea Turner, Washington needs a proven ninth-inning arm to compete come playoff time. Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman showed just how important elite relief pitching is during a postseason run.
Who is Carter Kieboom and what would the Nationals be giving up?
Carter Kieboom is the Nationals' third-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, a first-round pick from the 2016 MLB Draft out of Georgia. He hit .244 with four home runs and 25 RBIs in 36 minor league games and is considered one of the best prep hitters from his draft class. He projects as a future MLB third baseman with the ability to hit for average and solid power.
Why won't the Nationals include Victor Robles in a David Robertson trade?
Victor Robles is ranked as the seventh-best prospect in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline and is viewed as the future of the Nationals' outfield once Bryce Harper leaves after the 2018 season. The article considers it nearly a 0% chance Washington would move Robles in any Robertson deal. Robertson simply is not valuable enough to justify trading away a prospect of that caliber.
How does the proposed Robertson trade compare to the James Shields deal between the White Sox and Padres?
The proposed deal mirrors the Shields trade structure where the White Sox would pay half of Robertson's remaining $25 million contract, giving the Nationals payroll flexibility to add another impact player at the trade deadline. In the Shields deal, the Padres received top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. and Erik Johnson while covering $10 million of Shields' contract. Here, Washington would send Carter Kieboom and Wander Suero while the White Sox eat $12.5 million of Robertson's deal.