A's add Romo, Petit to bullpen

OAKLAND -- The A’s bullpen has gained a lot of experience in recent days.

The club announced on Thursday that it has signed right-hander Sergio Romo to a one-year deal and followed on Friday by announcing a deal to bring back Yusmeiro Petit. Also on Thursday, they reached a one-year, $11 million contract agreement with Trevor Rosenthal, according to a source. The club has not confirmed the Rosenthal deal.

The moves help shore up Oakland’s need for relievers, which was also addressed earlier this week when the club acquired left-hander Adam Kolarek from the Dodgers in a four-player deal.

Petit and Romo combine for a total of 26 seasons in the Major Leagues, which helps make up for the experience the A’s lost with the departures of closer Liam Hendriks and right-hander Joakim Soria through free agency this offseason.

Petit, 36, has been a key piece in the A’s relief corps the past three seasons, having been utilized by manager Bob Melvin in a variety of roles as a multi-inning weapon. Since joining the A’s in 2018, he leads all Major League relievers in appearances (180) and innings pitched (197 2/3), posting a 2.73 ERA over that span.

Romo, who turns 38 in March, reunited with Petit after the two won a pair of World Series titles with the Giants as teammates from 2012-15. The right-hander has played for five teams over the past five seasons, most recently spending last year with the Twins and posting a 4.05 ERA in 24 games pitched. He combined for a 3.43 ERA in 65 games with the Marlins and Twins in ‘19. Known for slinging his signature Frisbee-like slider, Romo continued to do a solid job of limiting hard contact. He ranked in the 82nd percentile among relief pitchers in exit velocity allowed in '20.

Though Jake Diekman is expected to get the first shot at the closer's role for the A’s this year, Romo provides another arm that has proved capable of closing out games in the past. Over his 13 big league seasons, Romo has 134 saves.