Posted: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 4:24 PM | 16 comments |
 

Phillies decline Romero's option
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As expected, the Phillies declined reliever J.C. Romero's $4.5 million option for 2011. The left-hander will receive a $250,000 buyout and become a free agent.

It's unlikely the Phillies will bring back Romero, who went 1-0 with three saves and a 3.68 ERA this season. Romero spent part of 2007 and the last three full seasons with the Phillies.

The Phillies undoubtedly will be looking for left-handed relief help in the free-agent market this offseason. Lefthander Antonio Bastardo is also likely to make the team out of spring training next season.

You can read more about Romero in Wednesday's Inquirer. 
Posted by Bob Brookover @ 4:24 PM  Permalink | 16 comments
16
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:37 PM, 10/26/2010
    Great....best move of the off season so far! He was scary every time out! Bring on the new lefties!
    — Bill S
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:49 PM, 10/26/2010
    He was huge in 07 and 08, but Madson is tough enough on lefties to rule the 8th in all situations, and 4.5 mil is way too much for a guy who's likely to pitch no more than 50-60 innings even if he's on his game all year long. We'll find out if Bastardo is good enough to fill the LOOGY in the earlier innings.
    — B in DC
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:04 PM, 10/26/2010
    Yea, I guess it is the best move of the off season so far since it is the only move...
    — stan the man too
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:49 PM, 10/26/2010
    Freeing up some $$$$$$ for Werth, perhaps?
    — mrjarn
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:57 PM, 10/26/2010
    Jay_Grace...i noticed that too...no little hop/dance after he threw...it was about the only thing amusing about JC
    — tdoc
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:07 PM, 10/26/2010
    but back in the day, when he was on, he was on. Whether it was the juice or the suspension/injuries, just never was the same. JC, fading Star. But he was fun.
    — Paul Deon
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:09 PM, 10/26/2010
    like the optimism...but, 99% sure werth is not going to be back. that pc yesterday sounded to me like he was bitter not being extended earlier this season. he never once stated how much he likes playing here in philly. it's all business to him at this point and he is looking for the biggest payday.
    — john dorian
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:15 PM, 10/26/2010
    I agree with this move, because he's not worth 4.5 million...However they need to make every effort to re-sign him at a lower price...He's still a nice player to have to get out a couple left-handed hitters in the 7th & 8th inning. Do we really want to count on Bastardo?
    — ericyshel
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:45 PM, 10/26/2010
    Baez should be next on the let go list. He was horrible. While they're at it they need a real hitting coach.
    — epiphany1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:46 PM, 10/26/2010
    Farewell JC you help the Phillies get a World Championship and with that you will always have a place in my heart. The best of luck to you and where ever you land.
    — cahris
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:57 PM, 10/26/2010
    Thanks for the memories, JC. Best of luck to you.
    — TerryW
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:20 PM, 10/26/2010
    J.C. Vaya Con Dios Muchacho ! Hasta La Vista! Thanks for what you gave to the team and the fans.
    — DUDESKINS
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:37 PM, 10/26/2010
    Every member of the 2008 team gets my thanks as they part ways with the Phils. They got it done and it was something I'll remember the rest of my life. Thanks JC!
    — m82492
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:21 PM, 10/26/2010
    '08 JC was fun to watch.
    — escapedcamden4monterey


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About Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover












Bob Brookover and Matt Gelb team up for their third straight season covering the Phillies for the Inquirer and philly.com.

This is Brookover’s second stint writing about the Phillies, having joined the coverage team after seven years as an Eagles beat writer. Brookover was hired by The Inquirer in 2000 as the Phillies beat writer after spending 13 years writing about the team for two suburban newspapers. While on the Eagles beat, Brookover, who had covered just two winning Phillies teams in 15 seasons, saw the Phillies move into a cash-cow new ballpark and begin playing a brand of the game he found unrecognizable. Follow him on Twitter here.

Gelb is in his third season covering the Phillies. He was hired by The Inquirer in August 2009 after graduating from Syracuse University. He has also covered baseball at The Star-Ledger and Cape Cod Times. Born and raised in Bucks County, he attended Central Bucks High School West. Follow him on Twitter here.
To submit a question for Matt Gelb's Phillies mailbag, click here.

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