Phillies, fans come to terms with J.C. Romero
by WholeCamels on Dec 27, 2010 12:24 AM EST
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PrintAs expected, the Philadelphia Phillies have reached an agreement with left-handed relief pitcher J.C. Romero on a one year contract for the 2011 season. Earlier this offseason, the Phillies had declined to exercise a $4.5 million option on Romero's contract. After the Dennys Reyes signing fell through, the Romero began campaigning for a return.
No exact terms disclosed, but the contract is believed to be worth around $1.1 million.
Hopefully Charlie Manuel will resist the temptation to use Romero as anything but a lefty specialist.
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If we need him….
Damn it feels good to be from philly
by Daniel Solomon on Dec 27, 2010 12:30 AM EST reply actions
Had a bad feeling it would come to this...
Still hoping we can end up making something out of Bastardo.
If for no other reason then it will afford me further opportunities to say, “Bastardo.”
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Dec 27, 2010 1:22 AM EST reply actions
With Bastardo, Romero and Chunk it gives nice insurance if Bastardo suffers another injury, or Romero’s allergy to the Strike Zone re-emerges.
On another site
I got automatically muzzled last summer by a bot that didn’t like me talking about Bastardo and Bocock.
This is not a bad deal for the money. Relievers are volatile year to year and (ugh) Romero wasn’t awful in spots last year. When used appropriately, he can contribute. And the price, for a MLB player, is a fair one. If he pumpkinizes, then it’s no great loss. If he’s effective, it’s a great deal.
This is the way relievers’ contracts largely should be bought/sold. You go, RAJa.
The only way I have a beef with how this turns out is if Charlie pretends this is 2008 and Romero pretends it is 2010. That’s not on RAJa.
Arguably, maybe the team could go with Bastardo/Zagurski/Brand X young player and spend the $1 million on signing above slot, but I don’t see it working that way anyhow.
NIce cost cutting by Amaro, though. Get basically the same player for a lot less. Resources used elsewhere (Lee). Budget impact mitigated.
I am not a witch.
by RememberthePhitans on Dec 27, 2010 8:51 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I join this in full. I would add that not only are relievers in general volatile from year to year, but Romero in particular has been volatile from year to year throughout his career. Also, while he was not good last year, he did improve a bit from the first half to the second half. And Bill James projects him to put up a 4.74 FIP, which isn’t terrible.
Also, I am a big fan of the Romero fist pump, which has to be worth at least $.1 million. (I do not get annoyed like some others do at K-Rod style antics, so I am being consistent here. Plus K-Rod’s celebrations are objectively much more extravagant in terms of duration and total body movement, even after adjusting for the differences in game situation.)
Just what is going on with K-Rod, anyways? This.
by Wet Luzinski on Dec 27, 2010 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
They should send him to the psychiatrist who helped Ron Artest. But then again I suppose the key isn’t who you see, it’s that you have to be willing.
But how does he celebrate a breakthrough in cognitive therapy?
Or perhaps: How do you think you should celebrate, Mr. Rodriguez? Or is that Mr. K-Rod?
I am not a witch.
by RememberthePhitans on Dec 27, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
Either not enough for a decent suit or too much to feel he should have to wear one if he does not feel like it!
by dannijd on Dec 29, 2010 9:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Was pretty much the same money as Reyes, iirc.
It makes sense for Romero too. If you’re gonna get a pay cut, you might as well play on a team like this one rather than get $1.5 million from, say, the Orioles or somesuch.
by Wet Luzinski on Dec 27, 2010 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
WAR
BR had Romero at .2 for last year, which works out to the $1 million.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/romerj.01.shtml
Baseball Prospectus showed him at 0.5 for last year (WARP)
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/card/card.php?id=ROMERO19760604A
The key, of course, is how he does this year, but while he was overpaid last year, it seems as though he’ll be paid about right this year. Hopefully reliever volatility works in the Phillies’ favor this year.
I am not a witch.
by RememberthePhitans on Dec 27, 2010 9:01 AM EST reply actions
I can’t get a job for nothing will do almost anything for one and this guy gets 1.1 million. This is what is wrong in America. Do to the troubled economy and how lame he was last year 100,000 seems right. How could he not have saved some of that money he riped from the Phils, not quite as bad as “Garbage Juice” Baez. though.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
Huh? $1.1M is a fair deal for Romero. Keep in mind, Romero had a $4.5M 2011 option at the end of his last contract which the Phillies declined to pick up. On top of that, for what the Phillies are looking for and what is available on the market, Romero at $1.1M really was the best move to make in this situation. It does not mean it is a Cliff Lee earth-shattering move, or that Romero is a great relief pitcher, but the Phillies were looking for a lefty in addition to Bastardo for relatively cheap, and they got it. As already mentioned on this thread, middle relief pitchers are very volatile, varying greatly from year to year. If he at least matches his projected FIP, it won’t be awful.
Formerly known as JFein.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter
You seem to have gotten mad. I am pointing out that that is a lot of money to have fun. When I did work I took lots of risks one wich has permently messed my hand up from bending. Becasue I was job scared I did something un safe because company was firing everybody for not doing anything they say, now I am fucked unemp[loyment ran out and these dudes get that much. I even think the Lee thing is crazy pay. they all our. I know they take risks and worked hard to be a pitcher. 100,000 dollar guys from the space center layed off are taking 18.00 HR jobs in Florida, I am saying sports players pay should gone down too to reflect what is happening in America.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
by Christopher A on Dec 27, 2010 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t be a douche. The guy’s just venting. It’s sounds like he’s a tradesman and hurt himself while doing something dangerous for fear of losing his job. I’ve been there. Just about every non-union or self-employed tradesmen can relate to this in some form or another. And even taking every costly safety pre-caution doesn’t eliminate the risk – alot of the work is inherently dangerous. I took a 30 ft. fall years ago and will never live a day free of pain, not to mention the out of pocket costs for medical treatments that have destroyed my fiances. Fortunately I can still work, however a buddy of mine didn’t fare so well.. He was shocked while working on a transformer which was supposedly dead. He was kneeling so when the electricity went to ground it blew out his kneecaps. I saw him a few months ago and after 6 years since the accident, he can just barely walk across the room. Now my uncle, a machinist , had the worst luck; his daily exposure to industrial solvents destroyed his lungs and caused the cancer that eventually killed him.
by j reed on Dec 28, 2010 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Learn how to throw a baseball 90+mph with your left arm and you’ll find steady work.
by Cormican on Dec 27, 2010 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The beauty part is, you don’t need to be accurate even.
by Wet Luzinski on Dec 27, 2010 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
Why would being paid what you are worth epitomize what is wrong for America? Should baseball players not get paid the money they produce? Or should people feel bad about spending the money they have earned on things they like, such as baseball tickets? Because both answers are wrong, stupid, and dangerous.
by Matt Swartz on Dec 27, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
wrong, stupid, and dangerous
but tell us how you really feel.
"My grandmom's favorite grandson, ask my grandmom" --Rone
by layout ultimate on Dec 27, 2010 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think any sports player is worth a million. I don’t think any human being is worth that. They might get that or think they deserve it, but they aren’t. Give me a million dollars I will live on it the rest of my life. Why do these guys need Giant house and Expensive cars so you think they are so great? Give me a break. And no I don’t spend money on tickets my mom might but not me.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
by Christopher A on Dec 27, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
Human beings aren't worth a million dollars?
But my mommy told me I was priceless :-(
Schadenfreude is a dish best served cold. Sorry, the Yankees, but you lose.
by LeepinLizardz on Dec 28, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
I work with people every day who get paid for doing nothing. It’s all about who you know, man.
I don't know what the fans do to create that much more volume and excitement in the stadium, but it's definitely something extra [in Philadelphia]. They're passionate fans. They understand what's going on. They don't need a teleprompter to tell them to get up and cheer. -Cliff Lee
Even last year, he still got lefties out to the tune of .217/.323/.277, about in line with what he’s done for his career. I’m fine with $1.1M for a decent LOOGY.
This. And what RTP said above.
Eric Seidman and Bill Baer and others have pointed to it, but Romero’s career numbers against lefties are worth pointing to again…
8.2 K/9 — 4.0 BB/9 — 0.43 HR/9 — 65.7% GB — 3.49 FIP — 3.61 xFIP
That’s a damn good reliever right there. Expose him to righties, and he gets lit up like a Christmas tree (0.99 K/BB, 5.34 xFIP), but as RTP said above, at that point, it’s on Charlie for misusing him.
I join my colleagues in an unenthusiastic “guess it’s okay” reaction to this deal. Certainly it might work out. Romero’s one of those relievers who’s particularly frustrating to watch when he’s “off”; he can’t find the zone, his short appearances bring games to a screeching halt, etc. And I don’t love his antics. OTOH, he was unreal for the Phils in ’07 and ’08, and in LOOGY terms he could pitch for another decade.
Upside to this: it probably reduces the odds I’ll have to suffer through Chad effing Durbin again. Downside: it probably increases the odds that Bastardo will be traded or sent up the Turnpike yet again. At some point, the Phils need to get younger and cheaper, and this year and the bullpen feel like the time and place given the Phour Horsemen.
bullpen status
Locks to make the team if healthy: Lidge, Madson, Contreras, Romero
Probable: Baez will make it if he’s non-terrible in ST
Fighting for 1-3 spots in descending order of likelihood of making the team:
Bastardo
Mathieson (out of options I think)
Herndon
Zagurski
Dan Meyer
other minor leaguers
Wild card: Kendrick or Worley could be used in relief
Assuming the Phillies decide to go with a 6 man rotation as we all had previously speculated, then I think Baez is the 5th guy and Bastardo has to be the 6th. This team really needs 2 lefties. IMO.
Mathieson and Herndon would be the first guys out of the minors depending on how Baez does.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
I personally don’t think they will. Though I haven’t really sat down to look at the schedule to see if it is in their best interests to go with a short pen, at least out of the gate.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
A New Year Resolution for RAJ
In order of priority:
(1) Eat the contract of Baez.
(2) Keep Kendrick/ Worley as long man
(3) Keep Tony B
(4) Keep Mathieson
(5) Send Herndon to minors
(1) The Phils learn nothing by keeping Baez. Any of the others can do as well as him (see the great comment in one of the earlier threads, I think by RtP, about “needing a $M reliever”). They really need to see what some of the others can do, or not do
(2) I’d prefer Worley, but it would be good for whoever wins to have the other in waiting keeping him sharp (a poor man’s Park/Happ battle). (This assumes Big Joe is gone).
(3) Tony B has shown flashes of pure brilliance. Putting him as one of the setup men perhaps gets him ready for 2012. Or the Phils see he’ll never be ready. Whichever.
(4) See #1 and #3 above. If he is never ready, that’s ok. The Phils should find out, one way or the other. OTOH, if the Phils go with 11, he’s the odd man out.
(5) He needs to get the ball every day as the #1 (preferably) or #2 guy in Allentown. See what he can do. This is another reason to not let Mathieson rot down there.
Bonus resolution: Add Z to Big Joe and see if anyone wants to make a Big Deal (a la Priceline).
Set your JVR in 2011.
Merry Cliffmas and Happy Halladays....Phils toys that will be used all year.
Wanting to “learn something” is a worthy desire, but it doesn’t justify cutting a guy before you have to. At the very least, you need to wait until the end of spring training to see how Baez and the others are throwing. Having “eat Baez’s contract” be your #1 priority, as opposed to a cost you’re willing to incur under certain circumstances, is insane.
Mathieson (out of options I think)
Kind of yes, kind of no. Mathieson is in has last option year now, but because his first MLB service was more than 3 years ago (2006), he needs to go on Optional Waivers to go to AAA (Optional Waivers can be pulled back if the player is claimed, but it makes the roster move more cumbersome than it would be for a DeFratus or a Schwimmer).
And RAJ gets the player most similar
I posted this, the other way, when it looked like the Phils were getting Reyes, but before the salary figures were firmed (and, of course, before the deal fell through). If $1.1M is right, this is OK. I agree with dajafi that having JCR is better than having Durbin.
Set your JVR in 2011.
Merry Cliffmas and Happy Halladays....Phils toys that will be used all year.
For every red ryder bb gun, there's a bunny suit
by j reed on Dec 27, 2010 6:26 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Good one!! Could we do pink bunnies (or this picture) for Romero outs next year?
by dannijd on Dec 29, 2010 10:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Meh
This deal has upside and is better than signing some other reliever to a 3 year deal. Free J.C.!
I don't know what the fans do to create that much more volume and excitement in the stadium, but it's definitely something extra [in Philadelphia]. They're passionate fans. They understand what's going on. They don't need a teleprompter to tell them to get up and cheer. -Cliff Lee
Things moved quickly, and by Christmas Eve Romero had agreed on a one-year, $1.35 million contract for 2011. He also can earn another $150,000 if he spends 25 or fewer days on the disabled list next season, plus $250,000 in performance bonuses that are tied to appearances, pushing the potential total value of the deal to $1.75 million.
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