New York Yankees Eying Sergio Romo

Back in the day, the bullpen was a place where failed starters were banished to. Well, to quote the great Bob Dylan (Channeling my inner Peter Gammons here) “For them times they are a-changin'” Setup man Andrew Miller received a 4-year $36 million dollar contract from the New York Yankees while closer David Robertson garnered a 4-year $46 million dollar deal to head to the South Side and play for the Chicago White Sox. The Houston Astros locked up relievers Luke Gregorson (3-year deal) and Pat Neshek (2-year deal) to help shore up their bullpen. It’s a whole new ballgame. But the Yankees lost their closer  (Willingly I must say) and despite signing Miller they are exploring bolstering the bullpen even more. 

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According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees are talking with the former closer for the San Francisco Giants, Sergio Romo. Now, the idea is that Romo would serve as the setup man for Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller or a combination of the two. Romo lost his closer role to Santiago Castillia after some early season struggles but ended up having a decent 2014 campaign with the World Champion Giants. In 64 innings he pitched to the tune of a 3.72 ERA with a 6-4 record, 59 strikeouts and was still able to notch 23 saves. Romo did allow 9 home runs on the season which he attributes to an issue with his slider.

Here’s the report from Heyman on the subject:

The 31-year old Romo is an electric pitcher with great stuff and big energy. But, Yankees fans would have to wonder if he can keep the ball on the ground consistently enough to succeed in the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium. His other suitors, the Red Sox and Dodgers are in need of bullpen help more than the Bombers and they have gone toe-to-toe with each other earlier in the off season. All three teams were in on the Andrew Miller sweepstakes which the Yankees eventually won.

Romo’s down season has brought his price down to the point where a team like the Yankees, meaning a team with other holes to fill, could sign him to bolster the bullpen and still be flexible enough to improve elsewhere. The Yankees, who are building a bullpen in the style of the Kansas City Royals’ 2014 trio of back-end arms, chose to sign Miller over Robertson and are looking to fill their former closer’s roster spot. Adding Romo would give the Yankees an excellent 7th, 8th, 9th inning (Or 8, 9a, 9b depending on what they decide to do) punch at the back end of the bullpen.

While the level of interest the Yankees have in Romo is unknown, he makes enough sense for them to see the report as something to watch. He’s a veteran, a right-hander (Yankees all the sudden have an abundance of left-handed relievers), has closed before, a three time World Series Champion and will garner a more team friendly contract than recent reliever deals. As the Winter Meetings continue to stay hot and bring new insight this is definitely something Yankee fans should watch for.