By Jordan Long
The Miami Marlins added depth to their bullpen, agreeing to a contract with reliever Sergio Romo. The deal is worth a base salary of $2.5 million and he can earn more with incentives. Romo must pass a physical for the deal to be completed.
Romo spent last season with the Tampa Bay Rays. He filled in as an “opener” last year which meant he pitched the 1st inning and gave way to the bullpen to finish the game. Romo started 5 games in that role but was used mostly as the closer. He saved 25 games for the Rays but blew 8 games. The Rays couldn’t trust him that much as the closer. Romo ended with a 3-4 record and a 4.14 ERA, his highest ERA since 2017 when he was with the Dodgers. That year his ERA was 6.12. He had trouble with his pitching location giving up 11 home runs, far too many. The Rays decided it` was best to let him go.
The Marlins knew they needed help in the bullpen. They don’t have an experienced closer. Romo will compete with Drew Steckenrider for the closer role. Steckenrider has 6 saves and 5 blown saves in his 2-year MLB career with an ERA of 3.90. Compare that to Romo who has 109 saves while blowing 27 with an ERA of 2.86. Romo has the leg up to win the job.
The Marlins are hoping Romo can help the team win games in the 9th inning to shut the opponents down. When Romo is on his game, he might be one of the best closers in Major League Baseball. Batters can’t catch up to his pitches. Those will equal strikeouts and end games for Miami.
If the Marlins see the same pitcher he was in Tampa Bay and he keeps the ball up in the zone for batters to smack the baseball, it could be a long year for them. With this move the Marlins are improved in the bullpen at least on paper and should be a better baseball team than their 63-98 record last season. fff
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