After re-signing Kenley Jansen to a five-year, $80 million contract last December, the Los Angeles Dodgers have largely waited out the relief-pitchers market. Los Angeles was connected to Neftali Feliz and Greg Holland, though both signed with other clubs.
Speaking during FanFest at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged the club has maintained contact with Joe Blanton, among other relief pitchers. “There are a lot of really good relievers on the market,” Friedman said.
“It’s obviously not lost on us what a significant part of our success that [Blanton] was last year. We have a tremendous amount of respect for him.”
One answer may be Brandon Morrow, who was recently signed to a Minor-League deal. As the Dodgers continue to evaluate remaining options, they are one of two teams Sergio Romo is considering signing with, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Sources: Romo choosing between #Dodgers and second, unidentified club. LAD also talking to other relievers, including Blanton.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 3, 2017
During a recent interview on MLB Network Radio, Romo expressed a desire to re-sign with the San Francisco Giants, but conceded that appeared an unlikely scenario. The New York Mets and Washington Nationals have also been connected to Romo this offseason.
Romo appeared in 40 games for the Giants last season, recording four saves and pitching to a 2.64 ERA, 3.80 FIP and 1.08 WHIP in 30.2 innings. San Francisco’s relievers had a combined 3.65 ERA in 2016 and their 30 blown saves were the most in baseball.
Over the past nine seasons with the Giants, Romo went 32-26 with 84 saves, a 2.58 ERA, 2.71 FIP and 0.95 WHIP in 439.2 innings across 515 games. He converted a career-high 38 saves and was named an All-Star in 2013.
The 33-year-old is currently pitching for Team Mexico in the 2017 Caribbean Series. Romo allowed a solo home run and three hits in one inning in his first appearance.
Should he sign with the Dodgers, it would mark a homecoming for the Brawley, Calif., native who grew up attending games at Dodger Stadium. Romo’s deal presumably would be a one-year contract, as the Dodgers are said to be set on only making such offers to relievers.
