DAVID ROBERTSON IS EXPENSIVE

It was a pleasant surprise to turn on the computer Monday morning, the first day of the winter meetings, and see that the White Sox were already being connected to some big names. The USA Today said that the White Sox were still the "frontrunner" for Jeff Samardzija, and then there was the New York Post saying the Sox were interested in David Robertson.

I don't feel the need to write about a possible Samardzija trade just yet because there are simply too many variables. I'd much rather wait until it actually happens (if it happens), because then I can actually evaluate it. I like the idea of adding a pitcher like Samardzija to the rotation, but with the looming question of his free agency, plus whatever the cost would be to get him, it seems silly to speculate wildly before anything happens.

I have feelings about Robertson, though, because all it takes to get him is money. A lot of money. And that's where my opinions on the matter come in pretty clearly.

But first, this is what the New York Post had to say.

The White Sox have serious interest in David Robertson and they aren’t blanching over the elite closer looking for a four-year deal in the $50 million neighborhood. 

“They like him a lot and he is definitely on their radar,’’ said a person with knowledge of Chicago’s offseason plans. “They have several things they want to do and he is one of them.’’ 

Because of their miserable 73-89 record last season, the White Sox wouldn’t have to surrender a first-round pick as compensation for signing Robertson, who rejected the Yankees’ $15.3 million qualifying offer. Instead they would have to give up a lower pick.

A four-year deal in the $50 million neighborhood. For a closer.

I have conflicting feelings about this. There's a part of me that's happy to see the White Sox are being proactive, and that they truly do plan on trying to win next season. You don't consider spending $50 million on a closer if you're just shooting for .500. Those feelings are quickly negated by that part of my brain screaming "you don't spend $50 fucking million on a closer not named Mariano Rivera!"

There is no more inflated position in this game than the closer. Both in importance and value on the market. It's nice to have a good closer, but you can find a good closer for a lot less than $50 million. To me this feels more like an overreaction to last season when the back end of the rotation was an unadulterated shitshow. Addison Reed was traded, Nate Jones got hurt, then Matt Lindstrom got hurt and the next thing you know guys named Jake Petricka and Zach Putnam are punching the clock for the ninth inning.

But if there's any organization that should be aware of how young, cheap closers aren't that hard to find, it should be the White Sox. Bobby Jenks showed up and won a World Series and gave the Sox a few quality seasons before he got too expensive and had to go. In stepped Addison Reed, who wasn't great, but was more than capable. Then his salary started to climb because arbitration hearings still love the almighty save statistic, and he was shipped to Arizona for Matt Davidson.

Davidson flamed out but I still make that trade 100 times out of 100.

Because closers aren't that hard to find. If Francellis Montas is as good as everybody says he is, he's going to show up in Chicago ready made for the position, but you won't be able to use this there because you're already giving David Robertson $12.5 million a year to fill the spot. I know you can never have too many good arms in your bullpen, but you can have too much money wrapped up in it.

If the Sox are spending this kind of money on a closer, will they still have the money left to fill other needs like left field? And if you do trade for Samardzija, and want to sign him to an extension, does Robertson's deal keep that from happening?

If Jerry Reinsdorf is looking to burn every dollar he has in hopes of winning another World Series before he dies, and the vault has been opened, fine, go for it. But if that's not the case that $50 million can be better spent in other places.

So I really appreciate the mindset here, White Sox, I just don't like the idea.