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Oakland A’s: Three options to be the next closer

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 01: Lou Trivino #62 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning of Game Three of the American League Wild Card Round at RingCentral Coliseum on October 01, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 01: Lou Trivino #62 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning of Game Three of the American League Wild Card Round at RingCentral Coliseum on October 01, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Sergio Romo

As the Oakland A’s are not likely to splurge in free agency, any options they consider to take over the ninth inning would need to be inexpensive. Sergio Romo would fit within their budget.

Romo would not necessarily have to be signed as the A’s closer. He has filled a variety of roles in his career, even taking the first five ‘starts’ as the Rays opener in 2018. However, he has notched 135 saves in his major league career and has four seasons with 20 or more saves. That experience as closer included the 2012 and 2014 World Series winning Giants teams, as he has proven he can handle the pressure of the postseason.

His 2020 numbers do not exactly draw a great deal of notice. Romo posted a 4.05 ERA and a 1.150 WHiP over his 20 innings, striking out 23 batters with seven walks. However, six of his nine earned runs came over three outings, where he allowed five hits and three walks while recording just two outs.

At 38 years old when the 2021 season begins, Romo is not a long term option. He could be a solid stopgap for a year, allowing the A’s to potentially identify a younger arm that could take over the ninth inning on a more permanent basis in the future. Should that transition happen during the season, Romo would still be a solid upgrade as a setup man, providing worry free outings in the seventh or eighth inning.

Sergio Romo would be a good fit for the Oakland A’s bullpen, either as a closer or a setup man. And he should fit well within their budget.