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Tigers Sign Austin Romine

By Jeff Todd | December 13, 2019 at 11:15am CDT

The Tigers signed their first free agent of the winter Friday, announcing a one-year pact with catcher Austin Romine. The Moye Sports Associate client will reportedly be guaranteed $4.1MM and looks to be in line to see an increased workload with the Tigers — the same club that employed his brother, Andrew Romine, from 2014-17.

Austin Romine

“Signing an experienced catcher was high on our list of offseason priorities, and we believe Austin will have an impact both on the field and in the clubhouse,” GM Al Avila said in a press release. “He’s a proven leader and game caller who has earned respect around the league for the tenacious and passionate manner in which he plays the game.”

Romine, 31, has been a steady contributor to the Yankees for some time now. While he was the clear number two in New York, he got a good bit of action in recent years when Gary Sanchez was sidelined. Though he carried a dismal track record with the bat until recently, Romine has trended up in the past two seasons, slashing .262/.302/.428 with 18 long balls in 505 plate appearances since the start of the 2018 season.

Romine has graded as a below-average framer but obviously impressed the Yanks with his overall abilities on the defensive side of the equation. He’s thwarted 28 percent of stolen-base attempts against him over the past two seasons while posting above-average numbers in terms of blocking pitches in the dirt, per Baseball Prospectus. Romine will surely be called upon to handle a big chunk of the time behind the dish in Detroit while helping younger backstops Grayson Greiner and Jake Rogers learn the ropes.

George A. King III of the New York Post first reported the deal (via Twitter). MLB.com’s Jason Beck and MLive.com’s Evan Woodberry added financial details (Twitter links).

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93 comments
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Comments

  1. eyesaiah

    1 year ago

    interesting

    Like
    Reply
    • angt222

      1 year ago

      I like this pickup for DET.

      Like
      Reply
  2. windmill_noise_causes_cancer

    1 year ago

    In before the super original wOrLd SeRiEs comments.

    3 Like
    Reply
    • Dorothy_Mantooth

      1 year ago

      Help me understand the random capital letters…I can’t break the code for the life of me!

      4 Like
      Reply
      • Ry.the.Stunner

        1 year ago

        The alternating case usually signifies sarcasm or mockery, made popular by the Spongebob meme.

        4 Like
        Reply
        • riffraff

          1 year ago

          Thank for the info ryan – I always thought doing that was just the writers way of saying ” look at me I’m an idiot” but now there is meaning to it I will be more tolerant

          Like
          Reply
        • DirtyWater04

          1 year ago

          The long awaited Sarcasm Font.

          Like
          Reply
      • AAATIGERS2020

        1 year ago

        LOSER

        Like
        Reply
  3. thareignman

    1 year ago

    BOOM! *sigh*

    Like
    Reply
  4. D0m

    1 year ago

    Remember that brawl a few years back?

    5 Like
    Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      1 year ago

      Is his brother still on the team?

      Like
      Reply
      • jneumann

        1 year ago

        No

        Like
        Reply
  5. southpaw2153

    1 year ago

    Did they run this by Miguel Cabrera? Lol. Romine is a good pickup by the Tigers. Solid backstop and hitter. Hate to see him leave the Yanks.

    6 Like
    Reply
    • thebiggestjoe

      1 year ago

      Agree has been solid as Sanchez backup. Gonna miss him in NY. Good luck Austin!

      6 Like
      Reply
    • Chris Bailey

      1 year ago

      He won’t be the backup here. He signed with the intention of being the starter.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • southpaw2153

        1 year ago

        I said backstop, not backup.

        2 Like
        Reply
  6. lysander

    1 year ago

    Miggy and Romine will have a few beers…

    1 Like
    Reply
    • oldleftylong

      1 year ago

      Er, … scotch.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • lysander

        1 year ago

        They can afford it…

        Like
        Reply
    • jneumann

      1 year ago

      Miggy and romine are swinging with haymakers

      Like
      Reply
  7. 94yankees

    1 year ago

    Detroit loves yankee catchers

    Like
    Reply
    • Joe Says...

      1 year ago

      Them and Pittsburgh

      1 Like
      Reply
    • BobSacamano

      1 year ago

      Ohh. They do?

      Like
      Reply
      • Eatdust666

        1 year ago

        Yes, they do, because in the past, they traded for Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart while they were with the Yankees and they signed away Russell Martin from the Yankees after the 2012 season.

        1 Like
        Reply
        • ronnsnow

          1 year ago

          I thought for sure the Pirates would be in on Romine. They are in need of catching help and he seems like the perfect guy for them. I guess we’ll just have to settle for John Ryan Murphy.

          Like
          Reply
  8. lysander

    1 year ago

    I suppose about $3Mil/3yrs and at that price, they may not be finished at catcher. They need experience there and if they get a bit of hitting, it’s just a bonus but they need two – can’t afford to be without experience with the young staff coming up.

    Like
    Reply
  9. ukhalo

    1 year ago

    I read that as King George III

    Something of a career change for him

    Like
    Reply
  10. kirksteve

    1 year ago

    Opens the door to the Yankees signing Cole’s catcher. Martin Maldonado

    3 Like
    Reply
  11. jneumann

    1 year ago

    There’s a dust up at home plate. Miggy and Austin Romine are swinging with haymakers

    1 Like
    Reply
    • nmendoza7

      1 year ago

      You said that already.

      4 Like
      Reply
  12. Boogaloo

    1 year ago

    And next headline, Yankees sign Martin Maldanado

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Perksy

      1 year ago

      The guy that caught Cole for a whole 10 starts. I’d rather have Romine

      2 Like
      Reply
  13. yan-key

    1 year ago

    Andrew is no longer on the team. That would have been more fun

    Like
    Reply
  14. Saint Chris

    1 year ago

    It’s being reported as a 1yr 4.1m deal.

    Like
    Reply
  15. nwf32389

    1 year ago

    Get that bag Ro!!

    Like
    Reply
  16. lysander

    1 year ago

    1 yr makes no sense at all. Why bother if he’s not going to be there when they call up their young SP? It’s not as if they’re concerned about fielding a bona fide MLB team, so why bother with signing a veteran C if it’s for only a year? The only logical explanation would be Romine for a year as backup and another vet like Chirinos or Castro as primary C for 3yrs.

    Like
    Reply
    • Dorothy_Mantooth

      1 year ago

      They spell it out in the last paragraph. He is there to help groom their young catchers, one of whom Detroit believes will be ready to start by 2021 (hence the one year deal at a higher than expected salary for Romine).

      1 Like
      Reply
      • lysander

        1 year ago

        For 1 year? That makes no sense. One year isn’t enough time to get either of those two ready for MLB. One year for Romine would make sense if they had him backing up Chirinos or Castro.

        Like
        Reply
        • spinach

          1 year ago

          He’s a backup catcher. They can just sign him again next year.

          Like
          Reply
        • lysander

          1 year ago

          Backup to Rogers or Greiner? Not really. With the Yanks he was backup but unless they sign Castro or Chirinos, he’s the starter. With only a 1-yr deal, Det is risking the chance that he’ll go elsewhere in 2021 and leave them with two young C that may be no better than they are now.

          Like
          Reply
        • lowereastsider

          1 year ago

          Romine made a bet on himself. Most people would’ve guessed he could sign for at least two years (2/$8.5M?). If he has a great season, he can conceivably sign a 3/$27M+ next offseason.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Ron J

          1 year ago

          Agreed

          Like
          Reply
    • Ron J

      1 year ago

      I would hope that in his contract negotiations, he was told he would be the starting catcher for 2020. If that wasn’t promised, why would he go there? The one year contract doesn’t make sense to me though other than him being able to display his skills as a starter and have the opportunity to sign a long term / better contract. There will always be an opening for a backup catcher if it doesn’t work out.

      Like
      Reply
  17. BobSacamano

    1 year ago

    I’m hopeful Jake turns it around this year. Because, next year when they call up their young SPs they’ll need someone more than a career back up 32 year old. $4m for this pedigree of catcher is disappointing. Kade Scivicque has earned his shot, call him up

    2 Like
    Reply
  18. joefriday14

    1 year ago

    This is the greatest pickup in the history of the Detroit Tigers. The money, the reputation, the history will bring back the good old days. To think they stole him from the Yankees for such a cheap price is amazing.. Hopefully the Tigers will increase ticket prices and move all the seats back 20 feet from the field.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • spinach

      1 year ago

      Well it sure is a better pickup than Jordan Zimmermann.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • Legacy of Bo

      1 year ago

      Spot on joefriday14, I think this was the final move in the rebuild. Welcome back Tigers! You’ve done it again, Al!

      Like
      Reply
    • lowereastsider

      1 year ago

      All the best to Romine and the Tigers. Awesome dude! NYY will miss him.

      1 Like
      Reply
  19. angt222

    1 year ago

    Solid pickup for Detroit.

    Like
    Reply
  20. Melchez

    1 year ago

    Pudge 2.0

    Like
    Reply
    • nymetsking

      1 year ago

      before or after roids?

      1 Like
      Reply
  21. GoYanks

    1 year ago

    This is a big loss to the Yankees. But I guess he was too good to be a backup. Wish him all the best.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • lowereastsider

      1 year ago

      Nah. It’s not that bad. He earned his shot.

      Like
      Reply
  22. 68tigers84

    1 year ago

    He has 247 career hits, Ichero Suzuki had 262 hits in 2004. Probably a good sign though, considering the current situation.

    Like
    Reply
    • jneumann

      1 year ago

      Ichiro*

      Like
      Reply
  23. echozulu88

    1 year ago

    There goes the Yankees chances of repeating as division winners.

    Like
    Reply
  24. Jamie Huntoon

    1 year ago

    My Red Sox got rid of Leon because he was going to make 2.8M?

    Like
    Reply
    • 68tigers84

      1 year ago

      Leon hit .192 in 2019, .221 career hitter. Red Sox pitching didn’t do well last year.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • Dorothy_Mantooth

      1 year ago

      Thank God they did!

      Like
      Reply
    • DirtyWater04

      1 year ago

      As we should have. There is no point in paying multiple millions to a backup catcher who contributes nothing to the team when you can get the same contribution from somebody making league minimum.

      Like
      Reply
  25. chuck123

    1 year ago

    Good for him – hope he shines in his opportunity

    1 Like
    Reply
  26. Dorothy_Mantooth

    1 year ago

    This is a rather big blow to the Yankees. Who will NY lean on when Sanchez does his obligatory 3-6 week IL stint with a pulled groin? This seems to happen every year, around the time when Sanchez is in a 1-28 slump as well. While Maldonado is a quality defender, his bat leaves a lot to be desired so perhaps the Yankees will need to use their 26th roster spot on a 3rd catcher? All I know is that the Yankees will miss Romine for sure and Detroit made a quality signing here for the money.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Robert16

      1 year ago

      Dorothy_Mantooth, I agree, I don’t understand the Yankees. When Sanchez was in one of his routine funk-slumps, as he was coming off the IL at the end of the season, Boone plays Sanchez in every ALDS/ALCS game as he bats .129 and his defense was atrocious.

      Meanwhile, during Sanchez’ regular visits to the IL, Romine’s second half was 325/.364/.550/.914 with a 139 wRC+ and .371 BABIP. His September numbers were .366/.409/.610 for a 1.019 OPS, 169 wRC+, .448 BABIP. And Boone benches Romine for every minute of the post season. Go figure. I expect he’ll do well for the Tigers on both sides of the plate. Hope they appreciate him more than the Yankees.

      Like
      Reply
  27. the guru

    1 year ago

    romine is bad. can’t hit or play defense.

    Like
    Reply
    • Eatdust666

      1 year ago

      Yet he is a much better fielder than Gary Sanchez will ever be.

      Like
      Reply
  28. Paul Heyman

    1 year ago

    This is the way

    Like
    Reply
  29. the guru

    1 year ago

    Their is reason Romine is a backup. Bad throws, bad framing ,no pop. Hes going to be shocked when he sees the defensive phenom rogers who has pop and is unbelievable defensively. When i saw him in the futures game…..I really believe Rogers is about to take over the league at catcher. tigers just need to not mess him up like they usually do to prospects.

    Like
    Reply
    • Eat'EmUpTigers

      1 year ago

      I’ll bite. At what professional level has Rogers hit at?

      1 Like
      Reply
      • Stat_head

        1 year ago

        Hit very well at AA last season. Should have stayed there the full season.

        Like
        Reply
        • Eat'EmUpTigers

          1 year ago

          I’ll give you that he has solid AA #s. But he’s 24 years old. He struggled hitting AAA pitching in his limited time in Toledo. And his MLB #s are downright scary (51K/128 PA, -0.6 WAR in 35 games, etc)

          1 Like
          Reply
        • the guru

          1 year ago

          He’s had ops over .800 at every single level in minors. Then he gets called up to next level. Outhit realmuto and yadi in minors.

          Like
          Reply
    • sweetlwhitaker01

      1 year ago

      Like
      Reply
  30. detroitfan69

    1 year ago

    He sucks … but AA has a plan … Cabby will be gone by end of spring training… injury buyout …. Zimmerman released early in training camp. This team is a dumpster fire plus

    Like
    Reply
    • sweetlwhitaker01

      1 year ago

      Sounds about right..don’t forget the free agents signed will all be on the DL sometime midway through the season or earlier too..I can’t wait to watch another year of this. Al has a master plan though. You keep signing these low level guys and we will be in the WS in no time.

      Like
      Reply
  31. the guru

    1 year ago

    Tigers are going to try to flip him…..but they paid 4$MM for him. They will not get that much in value of propsects if they can even flip him. They are better served using that 4 $MM money of 4 $MM and signing international propsects with it. They are backwards.

    Dump the money into signing more prospects and development. Wins/Losses do not matter right now for tigers. This is time to use the innings to develop the future like the astros did. Outside forces making them panick it looks like. The older players don’t help the future.

    Stay the course

    Like
    Reply
    • ScottCFA

      1 year ago

      They’ll only flip him if Rogers proves himself a regular. Signing a veteran catcher is a smart move for the Tigers because it gives them the luxury of letting Rogers mature in AAA rather than facing the pressure of 120 MLB games. $4.1 mill. is a bit much, but worth it if Rogers develops into a real MLB catcher.

      Like
      Reply
      • Scrap1ron

        1 year ago

        For Romine’s sake I hope so.

        Like
        Reply
  32. CrikesAlready

    1 year ago

    What this signing proves is that Austin Hedges of the Padres isn’t worth a bag of sunflower seeds…

    [Sarcasm]

    Like
    Reply
  33. TroyVan

    1 year ago

    This is a great pickup because it makes perfect sense. Romine is looking to establish himself as a #1 catcher with a productive bat to cash in next year. Detroit is looking to fill in until the trade deadline. By then, Rogers is ready. Detroit flips Romine to a contender who would likely pay a solid MLB-ready rookie. Romine gets to play for a contender and a really cash in next year. Everyone wins.

    Could go south if they didn’t check with Cabrera. I’m sure that came up with both players.

    Also, I remember in say, 1988, Dickie Noles and Gibby had an altercation of sorts. Dickie Noles ended up being acquired by Detroit. Gibby was noted for having welcomed him to Detroit with open arms.

    Like
    Reply
    • ShieldF123

      1 year ago

      As a Yankee fan who loves Romine and is sad to see him go, he is not a #1 and you will not get a young MLB-ready player of any value for him.

      Like
      Reply
  34. sweetlwhitaker01

    1 year ago

    Here Al goes again, 1-5 free agents signed to one to two year deals, where they probably wouldn’t have gotten any offers till the injuries start rolling in during the season. And later on somewhere near the fiftieth game, they go down on the good ol DL.

    Hip..hip hooray…Go Tigers Go 2020⚾️

    I think in 2029 we may win sixty to seventy games. Al has a plan everyone, don’t worry…sheesh.

    Like
    Reply
  35. Legacy of Bo

    1 year ago

    Here’s to Al’s 3rd #1 overall pick in 2021, and another to drafting such stellar position players. If this guy was any worse at his job he’d be a one-handed wood chip machine operator.

    Like
    Reply
    • Hard to walk with four balls

      1 year ago

      You mean second.

      Like
      Reply
      • Legacy of Bo

        1 year ago

        2018-Mize, 2020-locked in, and projecting 2021.

        Like
        Reply
    • Stat_head

      1 year ago

      He’ll easily outperform Luhnow’s record of 1 for 3 on 1-1 picks. He’s already 1-1 with Mize.

      Like
      Reply
  36. Indianfan

    1 year ago

    Indians sit around and watch, as usual, until it comes time to rummage through the pile of players nobody else wants.

    Like
    Reply
  37. Eat'EmUpTigers

    1 year ago

    Real talk, is this the tigers cleanup guy (kidding….maybe??) I mean not counting the 1B they will scoop (Cron, thames type I assume?) their clean up hitter options are Miggy, Goodrum, Stewart?

    Current Projected Lineup

    CF Jones
    2B H Castro
    DH Miggy
    SS Goodrum
    LF Stewart
    1B Candalerio
    3B Lugo
    C Romine
    RF Reyes

    Yup, I just threw upon my mouth.

    Like
    Reply
    • Legacy of Bo

      1 year ago

      How the guy even has a job is amazing, “building it back up”. It’s lunacy!

      Like
      Reply
      • 68tigers84

        1 year ago

        Don’t forget the Tigers lost four starting pitchers in 2019. I wonder how the Astros would have finished. Verlander, Cole, Miley ,Peacock all out for the season.

        Like
        Reply
        • AAATIGERS2020

          1 year ago

          Your not even comparing apples to oranges there. More like apples to brussel sprouts.

          Like
          Reply
  38. joefriday14

    1 year ago

    So sad Tiger fans and the media are oblivious to Comerica having the worst seats in baseball. No team has so many seats so far away from the action.. The games are unwatchable. Tiger management even has guards to stop fans from stealing bases. No point to going to games.

    Like
    Reply
  39. 68tigers84

    1 year ago

    Seats are angled, so you don’t look at the person’s head in front of you. That leads to being a little further from the action. I suggest taking some optics with you. I have always set in Kaline’s corner, so can’t speak for the other areas.

    Like
    Reply
  40. not alkaline

    1 year ago

    Need binoculars from most seats

    Like
    Reply

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