J.C. Romero Opts Out of Deal with Orioles

Left-hander J.C. Romero has opted out of his minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles and is now a free agent, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.

J.C. Romero opts out of #orioles deal & is now a free agent. lefty was pitching well in triple-a. cbsprt.co/Mj3BBM

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 10, 2012

Romero started the year with the St. Louis Cardinals after signing a free agent deal with the club this off-season. The left-hander appeared in 11 games for St. Louis, allowing nine runs on 14 hits over his eight innings of work, before he was released in May.

Romero then landed with the Orioles, reaching an agreement on a minor league deal a little over a week after his release from the Cardinals. Over his 17 appearances with Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate, Romero posted an ERA and WHIP of 2.51 and 1.047 with 8.2 SO/9 and 3.1 BB/9.

Romero split time between the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies last season, maintaining an ERA and WHIP of 4.01 and 1.743 over his 24 2/3 major league innings. The 36-year-old owns career marks of 4.15 and 1.508.

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Which teams should consider signing Romero?

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