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Levine: Robertson Solves Multiple Bullpen Needs

By Bruce Levine

(CBS) -- The White Sox fixed more than just a hole in the back of the bullpen by signing David Robertson as the club's new closer.

Chicago's bullpen ranked 28th in baseball last season with a 4.38 ERA, and the club had 36 saves total. Robertson had 39 saves for the Yankees all by himself.

"A closer's job is the toughest no matter where it is," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "New York is a tough place to play, but if you can close in the big leagues your can close. Seeing what David has done over the past years you're comfortable with what you are getting."

The White Sox's four-year, $46-million contract was enough to convince Robertson to eschew a similar contract offer from the Astros and come sign in Chicago. His deal became official Wednesday.

"Even when David was not racking up save totals, he was still a very dominant reliever in the back of their bullpen," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "He was setting up Mariano (Rivera) for years. We really looked at the last four or five years of his career in making our decision."

Robertson was the top setup man in the game for a number of seasons before replacing Rivera as closer in 2014. He has a strikeout ratio of almost 12 per nine innings pitched in his career. Part of the reason the White Sox tabbed Robertson was the leadership he and free agent setup man Zach Duke bring to a club with young bullpen arms. Last season, Sox bullpen pitchers were still getting used to success and failure modes in the big leagues.

"We had conversations about in-house and external closer candidates," Hahn said. "David was always our No. 1 target."

The sudden rush of moves by both Chicago teams has been intoxicating for the city and team management as well. The Cubs signed ace left-hander Jon Lester to a six-year deal late Tuesday night.

"The city is better off when both teams are good," Ventura said. "I saw that in New York when I played there. The city is much better off that way. Hopefully both of our teams will play better than they have the last two years."

Both Chicago teams finished 73-89 in 2014.

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