FEBRUARY 13: Romo is guaranteed $2.5MM in the deal, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The deal is official.
FEBRUARY 9: The Rays have agreed to terms on a one-year, Major League deal with right-hander Sergio Romo, reports Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com (via Twitter). He can earn up to $2.75MM, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (Twitter link), though the amount guaranteed remains unclear. The deal is still pending a physical. Romo is a client of Meister Sports Management.
Romo, 35 next month, was cut loose by the Dodgers after struggling through 25 innings in Los Angeles last season but found new life when L.A. sent him to the Rays in a minor trade following a DFA. In 30 2/3 frames with Tampa Bay, Romo thrived, pitching to a minuscule 1.47 ERA with an excellent 28-to-7 K/BB ratio and a 38.8 percent ground-ball rate.
Though Romo’s average velocity on his four-seamer and sinker both checked in under 87 mph last season, his penchant for missing bats didn’t deteriorate whatsoever. While one wouldn’t think it when looking at the radar gun, Romo has averaged better than a strikeout per inning in all but two seasons of his career, and he averaged 9.5 K/9 on the season as a whole in 2017. That impressive mark was accompanied by a 14.9 percent swinging-strike rate that tied him with Cody Allen for 25th among 155 qualified relievers.
Romo will serve as an elder statesman in a young and rather inexperienced Tampa Bay bullpen. At present, Alex Colome projects as the team’s closer, though trade rumblings surrounding his name have persisted even as Spring Training approaches. The Rays are reportedly still under ownership directive to cut a bit more payroll, and that figures to be ever the more true after adding Romo on a one-year deal — even if it comes at a modest rate. Should Colome ultimately be moved, it stands to reason that Romo, formerly the Giants’ closer, could find himself in the mix for saves early in the season.
[Related: Updated Tampa Bay Rays depth chart]
Beyond Romo and Colome, the Rays’ bullpen, at least from the right side, looks somewhat undefined. Dan Jennings and Jose Alvarado should hold down spots as southpaws, while Matt Andriese figures to pitch from the right side in a multi-inning capacity (though Andriese could end up in the rotation depending on whether Jake Odorizzi, another trade candidate, is moved prior to Opening Day).
Other right-handers who could work in a middle relief or setup capacity include Austin Pruitt, Chaz Roe, Andrew Kittredge, Ryne Stanek, Chih-Wei Hu, Jamie Schultz and Diego Castillo — each of whom is on the 40-man roster. The Rays will also have some veterans with big league experience in camp on minor league deals, including righty Evan Scribner and lefties Vidal Nuno and Jonny Venters.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Kind of saw this one coming. He seemed to fit very well last year
Whoa, a major league deal, what’s that?
I know, I was expecting to see minor league deal as well.
If someone just started following baseball 4 months ago, a major league deal would be something new to them.
Good sign. He had somewhat of a rejuvenation with them last year.
Good for Romo. He was a wonderful Giant and while I know he’s had some rough seasons recently but hope he has a good one this year. Romo is always gonna be #forevergiant in my book, he’s a class act!
Agreed. I was happy to see him bounce back with TBR last year. Hope he has another solid season with them in 2018.
I didn’t realize he had a bounce back with TBR, didn’t see that. That’s really great news and thanks for the update!
I believe Darvish has been waiting for Romo to sign. Now that the market is truly set we can expect a flurry of moves today.
LOLOL
I believe commenters with useful things to say were waiting on you to speak..
Well I guess it worked now didn’t it?
If he did what he did last year with The Rays’, this could be a very good signing.
One my favorite Giants. I favor advanced metrics but they still can’t quantify his no dot slider.
Geez the Rays pen is bad, especially once they trade Colome
He will mentor all the new arms they have coming up through the minors
Romo and Colome will be gone by the deadline, smart signing by the rays
I feel this deal is kinda gonna go like The Phillies and Neshek last off season, where he signed a one year deal, and was traded at the deadline for a few minor leaguers.
I trust Romo more than pretty much the entire current Giants bullpen. Wish he came home to the Giants instead.
eh if they are healthy I have faith in smith and melancon – beyond that I would say crick… but he got traded so I guess we’ll see if some of the youngsters can move up – I would think we would see beede at some point this season in the pen if not the rotation and moranta who looks like he could be something at times for sure
Dumb
Sick of hearing about the Rays continuing to cut payroll. Between the new GOP tax laws benefitting the uber rich and the 50 million payout to each team from bamtech they are pocketing a ton of money and they want tax payers in the Tampa area to step up with a half a billion dollars for a new stadium. What a joke.
Yep…since its such a bad thing to give less of our money to govt. Unless you live in Tampa as I do..it’ll be our choice to pony up.
Yep, all those bonuses, raises and new jobs are going to the uber rich.
If Trump wasn’t around, they’d privately finance it, right..?
Attaboy! Inject your left wing, “all tax cuts benefit the uber rich.” Might want to read the new tax reform bill, snowflake, before we go off on a talking points rant. Thought this was a baseball forum. Let’s talk baseball!
Good on Romo.
Honestly thought someone would’ve taken a chance on him sooner.
Great SFGiant player. Would have like to see him stay with the team. Hope he comes back to help after hes pitching career.
Still <3 Romo. Rays are dope. A few more players from SF to TB and it will look like the Giants made the move to Florida after-all.
Well the Rays did at least one thing right signing this guy but it’s still gonna be a lost season for sure
Jonny Venters?
Now there’s a name I have not heard in a long, long time.
“I just look Illegal”
Core Four forever Legends in SF