This offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers have not only re-signed their top-three free agents, but also bolstered their infield and added depth to their bullpen. The most-recent addition appears to be former San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo.
The 33-year-old reportedly agreed to a one-year contract that’s worth $3 million and includes incentives. While Romo was one of the familiar villains while a part of the Giants, he grew up attending games at Dodger Stadium and hails from a family of Dodgers fans.
Romo’s expected arrival may signal the end of Joe Blanton’s second tenure in Los Angeles, during which he emerged as a dependable setup man to Kenley Jansen. Blanton and Romo share similarities, but also differ in key areas.
Along with the Dodgers, Romo reportedly drew interest from the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, via Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com:
Source: Sergio Romo agreed to sign with #Dodgers last week. #Rays also made an offer & #Yankees made a late push. https://t.co/fMWTM9Hm2O
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) February 6, 2017
Although the Yankees had interest, they never submitted a contract offer to the right-hander, per Joel Sherman of MLB Network:
as @JesseSanchezMLB reported #Yankees indeed were talking with Romo's reps, but never made formal offer before he agreed with #dodgers
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 6, 2017
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports later reported the Rays outbid the Dodgers for Romo’s services, but the Brawley, Calif., native preferred to remain on the West Coast.
Romo missed the first half of last season due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. The significant amount of time spent on the disabled list resulted in Romo throwing a career-low 30.2 innings.
In 40 games for the Giants, he posted a 2.64 ERA, 157 ERA+, 3.80 FIP and 1.08 WHIP. Romo chose to participate in the Mexican Winter League, and impressed, with 10 strikeouts and a 0.93 ERA in nine outings for the Charros De Jalisco.
He then joined Mexico for the 2017 Caribbean Series, though only appeared in one game, allowing one run in one inning of work.
During his nine-year career, Romo, largely relying on a once-devastating slider, is 32-26 with a 2.58 ERA, 2.71 FIP and 0.96 WHIP. He’s totaled 84 saves and owns a lifetime 5.60 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
