Houdini Seals the Deal with the New York Yankees

David (Houdini) Robertson has bumped up the New York Yankees' payroll with his salary of $3.1 million in his newly negotiated one-year contract with the team. Robertson, 27, originally sought $3.55 million but the Yankees put $2.85 million on the table. They managed to avoid arbitration and settled on $3.1m. Last season brought injuries but he earned $1,625,000 and was 2-7 with a 2.67 ERA. Robertson also became a 2011 All-Star after going 4-0 with a 1.08 ERA. Robertson suffered an injury during last Spring training season when he fell and bruised his right foot in March. He took closer's job after Mariano Rivera's knee injury ended his season in May, then as placed on the disabled list for a month from May to June due to strain to his left oblique. Rafael Soriano was the closer for the remainder of the season. The Yankees' payroll is now $197.3 million after the finalization of Robertson's contract on Friday. The Yankees must also pay Pittsburgh $8.5 million for a trade deal last February that placed pitcher A.J. Burnett with the Pirates. This year Robertson is expected to once again take his 2011 role as the setup man for Rivera, who will be back as the team's closer after recovering during rehabilitation.