PEORIA, Ariz. -- Sergio Romo watched from Oakland's bullpen as the Mariners marched their way past the A’s in the American League West last fall. Seattle stomped Oakland for wins in each of their final 12 meetings, almost single-handedly eliminating its division rivals from what would’ve been their fourth straight postseason berth. 

So when a call came earlier this week from Seattle’s front office, Romo wasn’t just eager for another big league gig, but also for the chance to help an up-and-coming club win. 

“We just couldn't beat them and you’d get frustrated after a while,” Romo said Friday. “But then, as the saying goes, ‘If you can't beat them, join them.’ They earned my respect by the way they played. They don't got to say much and they don't. They just play, and it's kind of my style.”

Just weeks after his 39th birthday, Romo was gearing up to play for the Acereros de Monclova in the Mexican League, before accepting Seattle’s one-year, $2 million deal that includes a $250,000 assignment bonus if he’s traded. It’s clear that he still has a competitive itch and financial incentive, yet Romo wants to win and lead, and in less than 48 hours since he arrived at the club’s Spring Training facility, he’s already established an effervescent presence and put his words into action.

On Friday, he had George Kirby, the club’s top pitching prospect who is 15 years his junior, laughing at wisecracks. Later, he wanted next on the ping-pong table with outfielder Steven Souza Jr. Shortly after putting his uniform on for the first time, he was snapping photos with Ichiro Suzuki.

And Romo's most notable interaction was with up-and-coming reliever Andrés Muñoz, who granted Romo his No. 54. Romo watched Muñoz during his amateur days in Mexico and plans to share a generous gift with the 23-year-old reliever for the gesture.

“His first interaction in our clubhouse [on Thursday] morning was great,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “He’s not afraid. He’s certainly earned everything that he’s achieved in this game. He’s got a lot to add, and I think he can still get people out, too. I’m anxious to get him out on the mound.”

A three-time World Series champion with the Giants, Romo brings 15 years of big league experience to a clubhouse comprised mostly of players who’ve never reached the postseason. Only Robbie Ray, Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suárez, Diego Castillo and Abraham Toro -- all acquired in the past eight months -- have any, and even among that group, it’s limited, sans Castillo.

“Any time you can add that type of experience, it's huge,” Servais said. “He’s just been through so much, and then, more than anything, and when those guys sit in the bullpen, there's always the discussion. They're all the armchair quarterback. ‘Why aren’t we doing this? Why aren’t we doing that?’ Sometimes, you have a guy down there and says, ‘Does it really matter? Just get ready to do your job.’ That helps.”

Romo is introspective and thoughtful in how he hopes to lead.

“It's not necessarily teaching them how to win,” Romo said. “It's just teaching them how to be themselves to give themselves the best opportunity to present their best. I’m real big on self respect, self knowledge, being able to tell yourself the truth on how the outcomes of the games or maybe the way you're thinking, the way you're feeling and what actions you took in terms of preparation. And then, the aftermath and how you accept and literally learn from the day.”

As for his fit, Romo is slated to pick up some of the load that was lost when Casey Sadler suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that requires surgery. Sadler thrived in the pivot role between the starter and rest of the relievers, and Romo -- who is stellar against righties, elicits weak contact and lots of grounders -- seems like a logical fit there. His numbers were down last year by his standards, a 4.67 ERA and 88 ERA+ (league average is 100), but he’s ready for a new opportunity.

Romo threw his first bullpen Friday, and he’ll likely throw a live BP before being installed in a Cactus League game. But in the meantime, the Mariners’ newest reliever is feeling right at home.