NEAL: Sergio Romo a Free Agent After Twins Decline 2021 Option

They need to go forward. Rather give it to May.

I think it's very, very likely that this is the right move because I think it's very, very likely that his effectiveness will continue to fade, and probably quite rapidly.

We loved his energy when he got here.  Then that same energy grew tiresome for many fans throughout 2020.  No complaints here though.  He contributed in a solid way.  Good trade at the time.  Still pulling for Lewin to put it together down in Miami.

Ready to move on.  But what is really hard to anticipate is how many more DFAs there will be as the teams look to shed payroll.  This is going to be one confusing FA year. 

He earned his money, and we thank him for his contributions, but it's time to part ways.

Yep. I don't think anyone believes that Romo will pitch better next year than this year. I think that whoever takes his roster spot in the bullpen will do better than he would have.

I feel lucky that Romo didn't just bomb and was as good as he was. Thankful that he will not be pitching on this team in the future. Baldelli seemed to think that just because he closed years ago, that he was a good option with the game on the line. Never a fan of a junk ball slow slider only pitcher for a closing or late inning role. I really hope there is no "lost cost" reunion in the works.

Bring on youth!

A first example that dollars are going to be at a premium in 2020. Personally, I expect the 2020 budget to be down at least 10% and if it continues to appear there will be no fans to start the season, perhaps as much as 25% lower.

Good news is that most teams will be in the same spot, making cheaper one year contracts available for lots of players.

Romo was fine for us, but this isn't that hard of a call. 1) you can probably resign him for less if you still want him, 2) there are better options available both in FA and internally for the roster spot. He did his job, overall, and was a solid acquisition, but moving on is the right decision.

I'm more interested in bringing back Clippard and May. In a normal year, May is probably looking at a 3 year deal with someone who needs a closer option and might throw $20M at him. This year? not sure he gets more than 2 years. Clippard is another guy who probably struggles to get a multi-year deal in this environment; his age is going to work against him. 

Seeing Kluber's name on this list is really something. When pitchers fall, they can fall really fast. from 2014-2018 he was as good as any pitcher in baseball and now? He might be cooked. Do you kick the tires on him as a comeback player?

Supposedly Cleveland isn't picking up Brad Hand's $10M option.  I'd love to see the Twins go after him.

An optimist might say that's halfway to Brad Hand.

I will miss Trevor May.

I don't see an arm that will fill his spot.

A first example that dollars are going to be at a premium in 2020. Personally, I expect the 2020 budget to be down at least 10% and if it continues to appear there will be no fans to start the season, perhaps as much as 25% lower.

 

Good news is that most teams will be in the same spot, making cheaper one year contracts available for lots of players.

I don't think this was about the money. I like it as a baseball decision. 

That said, I agree that dollars are going to be at a premium. I just think those decisions are still to come.

Would you claim Hand and non tender Taylor Rogers?

Would you claim Hand and non tender Taylor Rogers?

Hand is a free agent, not put on waivers.  So you cannot claim him, he can sign with whoever he wants.  His option was not picked up.  I would look to try and sign him, but Cleveland felt he was not worth 9 million, or they could not afford to pay him 9 million.  I say that because he was set to make 10 but bought out for 1 so the saving was 9 million.  Which they will have to have someone play there so really savings will be closer to 8 million or even less.  

This shows how teams are viewing the the next season, that the AL save leader, in a 60 game season, will not be worth about 8 million for 1 year.  I have a feeling there will be plenty of low cost relief pitchers out there on 1 year deals.  At 10 mil Hand would have been 8th highest paid relief pitcher and on par or better than most ahead of him.  Following my little fuzzy math of about 8 million, again that is estate of savings from the buyout.  He would be tied for 12th highest paid relief pitcher.  

My point is, all teams are cutting costs and to look at past year contracts or to compare to current contracts will be a flaw in guessing what players will get paid.