Miguel Romero was released by the Oakland Athletics earlier this week by his own request and as per my sources there are plenty of teams from various leagues lining up for the services of the Cuban flamethrower. A couple of teams in Asia and a West Coast MLB team have interest in the hurler.
The right-hander, although he did not have a great season in 2023, compiling a 0-1 record and a 6.60 ERA in 14 games in Las Vegas (AAA) at the time of his release, was still a highly valued arm by the organization. Romero, according to team scouts, had the best curveball in Oakland farm system in 2020.
This winter Romero in the opinion of many was the most dominant relievers in the LBPRC this season. In 11.2 innings pitched this winter, the Cuban flamethrower did not allow an earned run for the Gigantes de Carolina and served up 11 strikeouts, while also saving a game.
The Guantanamo, Cuba native was promoted by Oakland to the Majors in 2021 and although he did not pitch, he was the 378th player in history from the “Largest of the Antilles” to reach the big show.
Fuentes: Hay varios equipos asiáticos y un equipo de Grandes Ligas en la costa oeste de los Estados Unidos interesados en los servicios de Miguel Romero. El derecho fue dado release por @Athletics hace 4 días.#pelotacubana #WBC pic.twitter.com/qiE3vghkP2
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) May 27, 2023
The 29-year-old also has the potential to unleash a 100-mph fastball. With the inclusion of Romero in the World Classic Classic, Cuba had a one of strongest bullpens in the event and it showed as it reached the semifinals of the tournament for the second time in its history. Romero was the anchor of the Cuba’s pitching staff leading the WBC in wins (2), strikeouts (13) and placed in top three in ERA (2.08).
Even though his change-up has been compared to that of Fernando Rodney, Romero says he has better pitches in his arsenal, ““My change-up is average in my opinion, it is not a pitch with a lot of movement, it comes in a straight line and then falls in front of home plate. It is effective, but I lean more on my cutter and curve. I throw my change-up sparingly.”
Armed with five above average pitches in his repertoire, Romero will not stay unemployed for long. Sources tell me that there are various Winter League teams that are also interested in the player’s services to go along with the aforementioned squads.