Tampa Bay Rays: Re-Sign Romo, add McGowan on a Minor League Deal

The need for veteran experience in the bullpen gained an arm as the Tampa Bay Rays have re-signed Sergio Romo pending the completion of a physical and signed Dustin McGowan to a minor league deal.

The Tampa Bay Rays and pitcher Sergio Romo have agreed on a one-year, though unofficial until the completion of a physical. It is a major league deal, requiring the Rays to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Although no financial have been given, Jon Heyman of FanRag via twitter writes that he can potentially make $2.75 million. The Rays acquired Romo just prior to the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Dodgers last July.

Prior to joining the Rays, Romo had struggled with the Dodgers going 1-1 and pitching to a 6.12 ERA (25-IP) in 30 appearances. He gave up 17 runs (all earned) on 23 hits with 31 strikeouts and 12 walks.

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Romo was a welcomed addition to the bullpen, where he resurrected his poor first half with a sensational second half with the Rays. In 25 appearances, Romo went 2-0, (30.2-IP) with 1.47 ERA. Over this span, he walked just seven, while striking out 28 and holding opposing batters to a .178 average.

Heading into spring training, speculation is that Romo will work in the set-up role to closer Alex Colome. However, with persistent rumors of a Colome trade, Romo could eventually move into the closers role a spot he held with San Francisco in three of the nine seasons with them.

Overall, in ten MLB seasons with the Giants, Dodgers and Rays, Romo is 35-27 pitching to a 2.69 ERA (405-IP) in 595 appearances, with 84 saves (103 save ops), while keeping opposing batters to a .206 average. From 2012-2015 with San Francisco, Romo saved 75 games with an All-Star selection coming in 2013 when he saved a career high 38 games.

The Rays added another experienced veteran signing pitcher Dustin McGowan to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times via Twitter. McGowan, a one-time starter for the Toronto Blue Jays (2005-2014) has also pitched for the Philadelphia (2015) and the last two seasons for the Marlins.

With the Miami last season, McGowan was 8-2 with a 4.75 ERA (77.2-IP) in 63 games. He struck out 64 while walking 27, allowing 42 runs (41 earned) on 77 hits. In his two seasons with the Marlins, McGowan was 9-5 with a 3.86 ERA making 118 appearances. Overall, with the Blue Jays, Phillies and Marlins, McGowan is 35-34 with a 4.50 ERA (650.1-IP) in 290 appearances.

Next: Rays Rumors: Interested in Nunez, Twins in Odorizzi

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The addition of Romo brings a bit more stability in a very inexperienced bullpen as he joins Alex Colome and Dan Jennings as the veteran arms. As for McGowan, it is expected that he will be competing for a spot in the bullpen among Austin Pruitt, Ryne Stanek, Jose De Leon and others.