February 3rd, 2017 at 6:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Late Thursday evening it was being widely reported across the Twittersphere that once-despised Giants right-hander Sergio Romo and his famous (and filthy) slider had narrowed down his choice of potential suitors to two teams – one still unknown and the other (wait for it…) the Dodgers.
Yes, the guy who Dodger fans have loathed for nine seasons and who resembled a pirate more than a professional baseball player with his Brian Wilson-like beard could soon be wearing a Dodger uniform which, quite frankly, might be difficult for many Dodger fans to stomach.
To his credit, the soon-to-be 34-year-old Brawley, California native and Giants 28th-round pick in the 2005 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of the University of North Alabama has a career mark of 32-26 with an excellent 2.58 ERA over his nine major league seasons, all with the Hated Ones. That said, it’s impossible not to think of the horrendous tailspin that Romo and the rest of the Giants bullpen – especially the back end – experienced in the second half of the 2016 season, which ultimately helped the Dodgers win their fourth consecutive NL West title.
The once full-time Giants closer (after his predecessor Brian Wilson left San Francisco and signed with the Dodgers) converted 38 saves in 2013 to earn an All-Star selection and added 23 more in 2014. And despite the Giants’ struggles down the stretch, Romo finished the 2016 season with a 1-0 record and 2.64 ERA in his 40 appearances. He also notched four saves while striking out 33 and walking seven in his 30.2 innings pitched. But in spite of all of this, the Giants elected not to re-sign the now free agent right-hander after the 2016 season.
The good side to all of this is that should Romo choose to the Dodgers over the ‘mystery team’, they will no longer have to face him. In his 64 appearances against the Dodgers over his nine-year MLB career, Romo was 3-3 with a Kenley Jansen-esque 1.93 ERA. During that time he struck out 64 while walking 11 in his 60.2 innings pitched against the Dodgers.
Although disliked by many Dodger fans, Romo could be the perfect set-up man for Kenley Jansen. (Photo credit – Robert Hanashiro)
Where things get dicey with Romo is that he spent nearly the entire first half of the 2016 season on the disabled list with a strained flexor in his right elbow and didn’t return until July 4. And while there is nothing to suggest that the guy with arguably one of the most unhittable sliders in the game hasn’t fully recovered, he will unquestionably be seeking a multi-year contract, which is a huge gamble for a team signing a guy with a serious elbow injury on his résumé.
The ironic, almost humorous part to all of this is that while many Dodger fans are clearly upset at the mere hint that Sergio Romo might soon become a Dodger, can you imagine how Giants fans feel about it?
Man, I love this game.
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I never liked him as a Giant, but then I never liked Wilson, Kent, Amalfitano, Maglie, etc when they were Giants either and I appreciated them as Dodgers.
I wonder how the Dodgers feel about this. Seeing him several times on MLB network, he seems to be a very likeable fellow.
Loath? PERFECT description for me. If he is still good why don’t the Giants re-sign him, it has bigger BP problems than Dodgers. JUST SAY NO TO ROMO!
Here is my opinion. I feel as though Romo is unnecessary with Blanton still out there. From a fan standpoint I think Romo will be a poor fit and Dodger fans won’t get behind him very quickly as he has been a Giant for so long. Also, I think that Blanton is such a great option for the pen. He was so successful last year and made huge contributions. In the end I’ll support whoever is wearing blue but, if it was up to me, I’d sign Blanton.
I’d offer both Romo and Blanton 1-yr deals. I can’t stand Romo but who choose to get a tough out against a tough righty from the group of Romo, Baez, and Hatcher. The Dodgers have plenty of lefties out of the pen and unless we all want to see Stewart forced into the pen it makes sense to sign those two to cheap one year deals. I’m not saying I don’t want to see Stewart in the pen. I actually think he would thrive there, but it might not be the best for his career or trade value. Romo grew up a Dodgers fan by the way.
I can see Blanton accepting another one-year deal. No way Romo will.
Color me wrong. Romo just signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers.
I like the move. Ron, you’re gonna like this guy when you meet him.
As much as most Dodger fans dislike this guy, he genuinely has a good heart. Very conscious of charitable causes and helping pediatric cancer patients are his passion.
He grew up a Dodger fan in Bradley, CA and idolized Fernando Valenzuela. Played independent ball for former Dodger outfielder Mike Marshall, who was his manager. In an event that I attended a few years back, Marshall raved about Romo’s character and makeup as a reliever.
If he’s a one inning set-up man, I can see Romo as a valuable addition to the team. After a few successful outings, his Giants days will be long forgotten. This is a good fit and it would be a dream come true for Romo who has always wanted to wear Dodger blue.
Doesn’t matter who Romo plays for, this story sums up the type of person that he is:
http://www.mercurynews.com/2014/09/26/giants-sergio-romo-inspired-a-teen-girl-to-keep-fighting/
Wonderful story. Thanks Evan. The man is always more important than the player. Reminiscent of Matt Kemp and Joshua Jones.
For the first time I’m actually glad the Giants won a WS.
Apparently the deal is on-again, off-again. Should this go through, Romo would become a setup man extraordinaire for the Dodgers. Such a deal would allow their bullpen to be one of the most versatile in the league. Romo could setup the late innings and, most certainly, spot close when Jansen would be unavailable as well.
This is a very smart move and one I hope the Dodgers can pull off.
I think we’ll all be happy with him.
I really hated this guy as a Giant, but once he’s in Dodger Blue I can see myself loving him. I hope they get Blanton too.
Agree 100%, Will. In fact, I posted this on Twitter last night: