Sergio Romo finalizes $15 million, 2-year contract with SF Giants: 'I wanted to stay here'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In a March 31, 2014, file photo San Francisco Giants' Sergio Romo celebrates the final out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning of an opening day baseball game in Phoenix. A person with knowledge of the negotiations says free agent reliever Sergio Romo is closing in on a new contract with the San Francisco Giants. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file)
Sergio Romo tested free agency, had some offers and ultimately decided he wanted to stay put in San Francisco pitching for the only team he has known.
The animated reliever finalized a $15 million, two-year contract with the Giants on Monday, keeping a key member of the bullpen who has been part of three championship runs.
"When it comes to professional baseball, this has been my home," Romo said. "I'm very thankful for every opportunity that I've gotten. This was a place I was able to make a name for myself. This is the only organization I know."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Romo gets a $2 million signing bonus payable by Dec. 30 and salaries of $5 million next year and $8 million in 2016. The right-hander could earn an additional $500,000 annually in performance bonuses based on games finished as part of the agreement: $100,000 each for 30 and each additional five through 50.
San Francisco also was nearing completion of right-hander Jake Peavy's $24 million, two-year deal. A formal announcement was planned for Tuesday.
The 31-year-old Romo has spent all seven of his big league seasons with San Francisco, winning titles in 2010, '12 and this year. He went 6-4 with a 3.72 ERA with 23 saves in 64 outings last season as San Francisco earned the wild card and went on to beat Kansas City in a seven-game World Series.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"All in all, I really wanted to stay home. I wanted to stay here," Romo said. "I don't really see myself wearing another uniform."
Romo and Santiago Casilla have shared the closer job in recent years, with Casilla again taking over ninth-inning duties in 2014 after Romo blew three saves in June.
"He's meant so much to our success," manager Bruce Bochy said. "So much is talked about with our bullpen. Whether setting up or closing, I thought it was important for our team, for our bullpen. Sergio knows all of us, we know him, there's a sense of comfort there. We know what we're getting, a very good pitcher who's comfortable pitching late in the ballgame. I can't say enough about how he carried himself this year. I know we made a switch there. He was all about winning."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Romo and fellow relievers Casilla, Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez have been part of each championship team.
"Sergio's resume speaks for itself, what he's done for us in high-leverage situations has been a key to our bullpen at the end of the game," general manager Brian Sabean said. "As we reviewed our needs going into the offseason, we very much wanted to keep our bullpen together. Bringing Sergio back, I think we've accomplished that."