The signing of David Aardsma gives the Yankees four internal options to close in 2013 if Mariano Rivera officially retires by the end of this season. David Robertson (4-0, 1.08 ERA in 2011) produced one of the finest seasons in recent memory. Rafael Soriano, who saved 45 games for the Rays in 2010, endured a turbulent first season in the Bronx. He not only adjusted to life as a setup man – not as easy as you think -- but also right elbow inflammation that sidelined him for more than two months. That said, Soriano has a track record for success.
Aardsma and Joba Chamberlain are both recovering from Tommy John surgery, and if all goes well both will be at full strength by next spring. According to Brian Cashman, Chamberlain is ahead of Aardsma by roughly a month. Wednesday morning in Tampa, Fla., he threw off a five-inch mound.
“He looked great,” Joe Girardi told reporters. “He looked really good to me. I thought the ball came out well. I thought mechanically he was very sound. He didn’t look tentative at all. I thought he looked very good.”
Even Rivera can’t pitch forever, so this season will serve as an audition of sorts for who – if necessary – replaces the irreplaceable. Wallace Matthews is pro Soriano, which on one hand makes sense. Soriano is experienced and didn’t spend a full year out of baseball. In his option year, Soriano would serve as a buffer for Robertson, 26, to develop for one more season without the burden of having to immediately step in for Rivera and live up to unreachable standards.
Then again, Steve Young replaced Joe Montana. Mickey Mantle took over center field after Joe DiMaggio’s playing days were over. Aaron Rodgers held a clipboard for three years before he was anointed as Brett Favre’s successor. There will never be another Rivera. The objective for the next Yankees closer is not to be the next Rivera. It’s to be the next, say, David Robertson.
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