After some push from the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, Sergio Romo’s one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is expected to be finalized in the coming days. Romo’s deal is worth a reported $3 million and includes incentives.
The Brawley, Calif., native is said to have turned down a more lucrative offer from the Rays in favor of remaining on the West Coast. Romo’s 2016 campaign was in some regard a bag of mixed results.
The 33-year-old missed most of the first half of the season due to a flexor strain near his right elbow. As a result, Romo threw a career-low 30.2 innings.
He finished the season with four saves, 2.64 ERA, 3.80 FIP and 1.08 WHIP in 40 games. Romo proceeded to pitch in the Mexican Winter League, then the 2017 Caribbean Series, though only appeared in one game.
Famed scout Mike Brito saw Romo pitch and passed along a positive report to the Dodgers, according to ESPN’s Rubén Castro (translated from Spanish):
“I did a report of him, because we need a setup man to Kenley Jansen. I think he will help us. The Dodgers were worried about his arm, but his arm is fine, is healthy and sliders are breaking as always very well,” said Brito when interviewed from the steps of Tomateros Stadium.
Romo pitched to a 0.93 ERA with 10 strikeouts in nine appearances for the Charros de Jalisco during the Winter League. He allowed one run and three hits during the lone appearance for Mexico in the Caribbean Series, which concluded Tuesday.
Over nine seasons with the Giants, Romo went 32-26 with 84 saves, a 2.58 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 0.95 WHIP and won three World Series. He recorded a career-high 38 saves and was named an All-Star in 2013.
