Cubs Rumors: Mets, Yankees both have sights set on David Robertson

Despite a save situation arising in Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Pirates, Cubs closer David Robertson never so much as got loose in the bullpen. After the game, Chicago skipper David Ross told reporters it was nothing more than giving the guy a day off after back-to-back appearances over the weekend, followed by a night game and then a day game once the team got back home this week.

But given how much smoke seems to be surrounding the 37-year-old right-hander currently, it’s not hard to see why people immediately started wondering if a trade was imminent. Not yet, it seems, but you can bet the Cubs will be very careful when it comes to Robertson in the days to come.

In the latest rumor roundup from FanSided’s own Robert Murray, the former All-Star reliever is tied to not just his former team in New York, the Yankees, but also a first-place Mets team in search of bullpen reinforcements.

"The Cubs boast two of the top relievers on the market in David Robertson and Mychal Givens. The Mets “love” Robertson, according to sources, who also fits the Yankees and other teams in need of late-inning relief help. Givens is drawing interest from numerous teams while reliever Chris Martin is another potential trade candidate."

It was, in fact, Givens who got the save against the Pirates on Tuesday, locking down Chicago’s sixth-straight win overall and fifth consecutive dating back to the first half. As Murray notes, odds are both will be wearing a different uniform within a week.

Cubs: David Robertson has put it all together again on the North Side

As for Robertson, though, he’s experienced a total resurgence on the North Side this season. After throwing a cumulative 18 2/3 big league innings from 2019 to the start of 2022, he’s come roaring back to the top of his game with a 1.83 ERA in 35 appearances for the Cubs this year.

While we can sit and debate whether the Cubs should or shouldn’t trade Ian Happ and/or Willson Contreras, there is absolutely zero doubt trading Robertson is the right move. On a one-year deal, in his late 30s and playing for a team with no shot at a postseason berth, he’s someone who needs to be dealt so Chicago can pick up some long-term assets.