A couple of weeks ago, the Blue Jays opted not to tender a contract to right-hander Jordan Romano, sending him to free agency instead of keeping him around for his final season of club control. But general manager Ross Atkins tells members of the media, including Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic, that the Jays are “interested in him and will be heavily pursuing his return, and hope that that’s a potential reality.”
Romano, 32 in April, had a strong three-year run as the closer in Toronto but is coming off a mostly lost season. From 2021 to 2023, Romano racked up 95 saves for the Jays, tossing 186 innings with a 2.37 earned run average. He had a 30.3% strikeout rate, 9.2% walk rate and 42.3% ground ball rate.
But in 2024, he was on and off the injured list due to inflammation in his right elbow. He only made 15 appearances on the year and had a bloated 6.59 ERA in that small sample, only striking out 21% of batters faced. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on that elbow in July and it was initially hoped that he could make a late-season return but that ultimately didn’t come to pass.
Romano made a salary of $7.75MM in 2024 and MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected him for the same figure in 2025, since salaries almost never go down in the arbitration system. After Romano’s rough 2024 campaign, the Jays didn’t think it was worth betting that much on a bounceback. Presumably, they also checked in with other clubs to assess trade interest but couldn’t find any willing to both have Romano around that price point and give up something notable in return.
His health is a bit of a question mark as he hasn’t pitched since May, but Atkins says he doesn’t have any concerns going into 2025. Assuming Romano is healthy, the Jays could certainly use him, as their bullpen was a big part of their struggles this year. Toronto relievers posted a collective 4.82 ERA in 2024, a mark that was better than just the Rockies. With the club looking to rebound in 2025, a stronger bullpen will be a necessary step.
Bringing Romano back could be a part of that, though it will naturally be at a lower salary than he made last year. Kirby Yates is another former closer who had some injury problems and he signed a $4.5MM deal with the Rangers last winter. It’s not a perfect comparison since Yates was going into his age-37 season, but he had at least finished the prior season healthy. After missing much of the 2020 through 2022 seasons due to injuries, he made 61 appearances in 2023 with a 3.28 ERA. Romano will be far younger than Yates but with more recent injury troubles. Yates also signed a $5.5MM deal with the Jays going into 2021, his age-34 season, after being hurt for much of 2020. But he ended up undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing that entire season. Greg Holland was one of baseball’s top closers before missing all of 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgery, then signing a $7MM deal with the Rockies going into 2017.
Perhaps those deals suggest that Romano could earn something a bit below his 2024 salary, maybe with incentives based on his health. At that price range, just about any club could get involved. Even teams with strong bullpens can bump out the guy lowest on the pecking order, so Romano figures to have widespread interest if Atkins’ assessment of his health is correct. The Jays figure to be one of the clubs most motivated to add relief help, based on how last year went. Perhaps Romano would welcome a return since he was born and raised in Markham, just outside Toronto, and has spent his entire big league career with the Jays. However, he should have plenty of other options to consider.
If his elbow is indeed healthy again, he would be a good signing for just about any team
If his elbow was healthy you’d think the Jay’s would’ve paid the $7M for 1 year
If wishes and butts we’re candy and nuts
So they cut him in hopes of him signing for a lesser deal. I doubt he’ll accept the deal (Unless it is the highest or the only one from the teams).
Wouldn’t be the first time. Angels brought back Moore after they dumped him on the waiver wire (granted, that also didn’t work out, I think to everyone’s surprise).
@Clofreesz,
I completely agree. But you never know how much the draw of Ontario beckons a man.
Seriously, I hope that the hometown discount (or in this case, hometown forgiveness) doesn’t keep Baltimore from signing him as a perfect set up man for Felix. Lebatt is marginally a better beer than Natty Boh but Rubinstein is shrewd enough to throw in a monthly shipment of Lebatts from north of the border.
Labatt’s, man.
Heathen.
Jays did the same thing with Edwin about a decade ago, worked out well for both sides.
It’s not like it hasn’t happened before to a player in MLB
The Jays are interested in everyone, even those they’ve dumped.
Makes sense. Romano May consider a lesser deal with incentives. It is his hometown so he may want to return.
Non-tendering Romano would’ve made sense for a lot of teams given the scenario — but for a jays team that is in desperate need of fixing up the bullpen (among many other things) they better hope he re-signs for whatever discount they have envisioned.
If the Jays offered something like 2yrs/10M, it could be beneficial for both sides for a high upside, not-quite-healthy-yet pitcher
Agree. At 32, I would think Romano would take guaranteed money over a one year large sum.
What are they gonna do with that aggressive intro video otherwise?
Weird
If romero is healthy he’ll probably have no problems securing a 1 year 8 million contract
The Blue jays front office is terrible at best
That front office should have been sent packing two years ago.
Then after last season’s poor signings and miserable team finish…they should have been looking for work elsewhere.
This is the front office with at least nine lives.
I would have liked the Orioles to have jumped onboard
If he’s healthy he’s a really good bounceback candidate.
Atkins met with TO BBWAA writers today. No doubt he was asked about Romano, and what else would he say? Nothing to see here
When he hit the mound last year, he didn’t produce three automatic “outs”….
So…depending on how far the Jays expect to go will be shown in their rebuilding the bullpen…and who will close.
Shows how Stupid Ross Atkins is. This guy declined last couple seasons. Didn’t pitch much all year due to arm issues.Not many complaints from Jays fans when they cut him lose, I don’t want to pay him 3,4,5 Mil hoping he can pitch. Ross has been with the club 10 years and hasnt Won a single playoff game.Him and Mark do not spend money on good relievers, this is exactly what their MO has been. Guess what, What your doing AINT WORKING GUYS!! SPEND some money on the Bullpen…maybe you’ll actually win something.
Their strategy to entice Soto.