Signing Sergio Romo Should Be Detroit Tigers’ Top Offseason Priority
By Jerry Landry
@jerry2landry
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Last April, Detroit Tigers fans had one complaint for the team Dave Dombrowski had shrewdly built: The bullpen. At the All-Star break, there was one thing Tigers fans wished Dombrowski would shore up before the deadline: The bullpen. Down the stretch, just about every Tiger fan really hoped one thing wouldn’t haunt them in the playoffs: The bullpen.
The Baltimore Orioles seemed glad these prayers went unanswered, sweeping the Tigers in clear view of Dombrowski’s office at Comerica Park in the ALDS, exploiting a weakness that could no longer remain hidden.
Solving a puzzle starts with placing the first piece, and Sergio Romo is a great piece to pull from the pile. Romo’s flummoxing 80 mph slider would be the perfect out pitch to bridge the Tigers from hard-throwing starter to hard-throwing closer. He would effectively keeping other arms fresh, extending early leads into later innings, and allowing the offense to hit from ahead instead of battling from behind.
Romo is 31 years old, but the Tigers should (and can) give him the years he’s looking for in a contract — win the World Series now, pay for it later. Or, they can just somehow trick the Texas Rangers into another Prince Fielder-esque fleecing when the time is right. Either way, every team has a window, and Detroit’s is closing.
Dombrowski has whetted the fanbase’s appetite and now needs to deliver the meal. He needs to give the fans what they deservedly want, and begin building the Tigers’ brick house bullpen with three-time World Series champion, Sergio Romo.
Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jerry2Landry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
A's Become Contenders With Zobrist, Escobar Trade
The Oakland Athletics continue to make a splash in the offseason by trading for Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays. Read More
5 Players The Braves Should Trade For
The Atlanta Braves have a lot more moves to make before the start of the season. Take a look at these players the Braves should consider trading for. Read More
Tigers Need A Break Out Season From Shane Greene
With multiple uncertainties in the starting rotation, it would be huge if the Detroit Tigers could get a breakout season out of newcomer Shane Greene. Read More
Tampa Bay Rays: 5 Players They Could Still Trade
With the Tampa Bay Rays heading into a transitional season, here are five players they should still look to trade. Read More
Assessing the SF Giants' 2015 25-Man Roster
The San Francisco Giants aren't as dangerous on paper as they were a season ago. Read More
Going Home To Blue Jays May Be What Axford Needs
It has been a long time since John Axford has been great. With a need for bullpen help, the Toronto Blue Jays should take a chance on him. Read More
Shields Would Be Best Ace Add For Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly interested in adding an ace, and signing James Shields would be the best way for them to do so. Read More
Power Ranking NL Central Starting Catchers
The NL Central boasts the best catchers in all of baseball. Here is how they rank heading into the 2015 season. Read More
Tigers' Alex Avila Will Benefit From Platoon Role
Here is why Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila may benefit immensely from a strict platoon with James McCann in 2015. Read More
Former Players Could Haunt Royals In 2015
The Kansas City Royals made significant moves at the end of 2014, but the Chicago White Sox changed their team in a much bigger way. The Royals will now see far more of two well-liked former players. Read More
Randy Johnson's HOF Journey No Tall Tale
Will he be a Seattle Mariner or an Arizona Diamondback in the Hall of Fame? Either way, Randy Johnson's legacy will be remembered in Seattle long before it is forgotten. Read More
Keyvius Sampson Great Fit For Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds have lost a lot of organizational depth this winter. By adding Keyvius Sampson, they have a pitcher who has the talent to quickly surprise. Read More