Though the Yankees are expected to explore the free agent market in their search to replace retired closer Mariano Rivera, Rivera told The Journal News he would like to see David Robertson, his setup man of the last few years, in the role.
"Hopefully, they give him the job, because he can do that," Rivera said. "You don't know how you're going to respond. You cannot [judge] a pitcher from five outings, or three or two outings. You have to allow [time] to see what you have. I think that's exactly what they did with me. As a matter of fact, I blew like three or four saves in the first week. If they would have given up on me, we would never have this."
Robertson could still end up closing for the Yankees in 2014, but they were much quicker to commit to Rivera as John Wetteland's replacement heading into the 1997 season.
"I knew because they called me, they told me," Rivera said. "It's not surprising [that the Yankees are leaving options open this time]. They want to make sure, I guess. I don't know how they want to run it, but they want to make sure that they explore all of their abilities or chances."