The Marlins and Sergio Romo agree to a 1-year deal
The Miami Marlins added depth to their bullpen on Wednesday by signing veteran reliever Sergio Romo to a 1-year deal, sources confirm.
The Marlins have finally added a veteran arm to provide bullpen depth this coming season. Multiple sources, including Joe Frisaro of MLB.com have reported that Sergio Romo has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the ballclub.
Adding a veteran reliever is one of the team’s objectives this offseason, as Michael Hill discussed with the media during the Baseball Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. The move is the third for the Marlins where a veteran presence was added to the 40-man roster. Romo now gives manager Don Mattingly more options out of the bullpen.
“The club reached agreement with free agent right-hander Sergio Romo on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, pending a physical, a source told MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez,” writes Frisaro.More from Marlins NewsMiami Marlins news: Another target goneWhy didn’t the Miami Marlins sign JDM?Miami Marlins rejected Boston‘s trade offerMiami Marlins are pursuing Michael ConfortoMiami Marlins need to spend to win“The club has yet to confirm the report.”
The move recent moves the team has made has come because the team was in the cclosing stages of dealing catcher J.T. Realmuto before Spring Training. The All-Star catcher was traded this week to the Philadelphia Phillies. Outfielder Curtis Granderson and infielder Neil Walker were signed before a Realmuto deal could be finalized.
“Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said at FanFest on Saturday that the club was looking to bring in another experienced reliever before the start of Spring Training,” Frisaro added.
The addition of Romo could mean he also becomes a candidate to win the open closers role on the roster. Both Drew Steckenrider and Adam Conley were expected to battle for the specialist position in camp, but now it may become a three-man race with the winner not being determined until the end of Spring Training.
It is also believed Tayron Guerrero, who has been used primarily in the set-up role, could earn a chance to compete to close as well.
Romo, 35, got his start in the Majors with the San Francisco Giants, but played for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. He has a 38-31 career record with a 2.86 ERA and 109 saves.
“I think a veteran bullpen piece,” Hill said of the team’s remaining need on Saturday. “Just to help Steck and Conley and Guerrero at the back end is something we’re exploring right now.”
As pitchers and catchers have now reported to the Marlins Spring Training facility in Jupiter, Florida, it is not known if the team will look to add another other players to their roster.