David Robertson has plenty on his mind this spring.
The White Sox closer is coming back from offseason knee surgery and must balance preparing for the season with pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
He figures he’s not going to add trade rumors to his list of concerns — yet.
Robertson’s name has ranked just behind left-hander Jose Quintana on the list of most likely trade candidates during the Sox rebuild.
Just last week, reports surfaced the Sox had been in talks with the Nationals to deal the nine-year major-league veteran, but they hit a snag. Robertson has two years and $25 million left on his contract, which could factor into negotiations.
As Robertson joined pitchers and catchers reporting at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday, he said he will push that talk to the side.
"What else can I do?" Robertson said. "I’m here to play baseball. I’m going to continue to work on getting better and let the cards fall where they’re going to be. … If I stay here, great. If I get moved, it’s their decision."
Sox general manager Rick Hahn said after the first official workout that he plans to continue to have trade discussions this spring but didn’t allude to anything close. If they move Robertson, the Sox could turn to setup man Nate Jones to as closer.
Photos as the White Sox arrive at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 14, 2017.
"We have had extensive conversations on various fronts, (but) there’s nothing that’s at us or appealing enough to make us move," Hahn said. "We are certainly going to keep an open mind, but now the focus tends to shift a little bit to getting ready for the season as opposed to potential trades."
Hahn said it actually might be easier for players to deal with rumors once they have reported to spring training because they can focus on their work.
Robertson is ready for that after left knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus early in the offseason.
It was something that had been nagging him for some time, but he said he wasn’t blaming any of his performances on the issue. He posted a 5-3 record and 3.47 ERA, his worst since 2010, over 621/3 innings in 2016. He converted 37 of 44 save opportunities.
"Obviously, I needed to get it fixed because it was irritating me, but I’m not going to put any of my performances on that," Robertson said. "What pitcher or player doesn’t play through some discomfort? That’s the way I look at it. I would rather have a lower half (injury) than my elbow or shoulder."
In the past, Robertson has taken a lighter approach to spring training, but he had to begin throwing earlier this year because of his participation in the WBC.
"When I first was asked to do it, I had to think about it for a second, but I’m excited to do it," Robertson said. "It’s a chance to represent my country, try something different. It’s going to be a lot of fun to meet a bunch of guys I played against and be on the same team. … It kind of breaks up spring training a little bit."
ckane@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ChiTribKane
First workout of the season for White Sox at spring training
White Sox pitchers and catchers, with a few position players, work out for spring training at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 14, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitchers and catchers, with a few position players, work out for spring training at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 14, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
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