The 10 Best Strikeout Relievers in Major League Baseball

David Robertson, New York Yankees

It takes a lot to step into the shoes of a legend, but David Robertson has done just fine.

The young right-hander has pitched extremely well as the new Yankees closer, with New York hardly missing a beat since the retirement of Mariano Rivera. Robertson's 38.1% K-rate is ninth-best among MLB relievers, and his 2.82 ERA and 2.40 WHIP are both solid across the board. He's also struck out 82 batters in 54.1 innings and walked just 20, a terrific first season locking down those last three outs.

However, this could be Robertson's one and only season as the Bronx Bombers' closer. He's 29 years old and will be entering free agency for the first time. With Dellin Betances seemingly ready to step into the closer's role next season, it would probably be unwise for New York to pony up big cash to keep him, when they already have another candidate in-house.

With that said, some team is going to get a really good relief pitcher, one who has put up a nERD of 1.01 and an rWAR of 1.2 in 2014, if they sign Robertson this off-season.