A few weeks in the past, the Blue Jays opted to not tender a contract to right-hander Jordan Romano, sending him to free company as a substitute of protecting him round for his last season of membership management. However normal supervisor Ross Atkins tells members of the media, together with Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic, that the Jays are “curious about him and will likely be closely pursuing his return, and hope that that’s a possible actuality.”
Romano, 32 in April, had a powerful three-year run because the nearer in Toronto however is coming off a principally misplaced season. From 2021 to 2023, Romano racked up 95 saves for the Jays, tossing 186 innings with a 2.37 earned run common. He had a 30.3% strikeout fee, 9.2% stroll fee and 42.3% floor ball fee.
However in 2024, he was on and off the injured checklist on account of irritation in his proper elbow. He solely made 15 appearances on the 12 months and had a bloated 6.59 ERA in that small pattern, solely hanging out 21% of batters confronted. He underwent arthroscopic surgical procedure on that elbow in July and it was initially hoped that he may make a late-season return however that finally didn’t come to move.
Romano made a wage of $7.75MM in 2024 and MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected him for a similar determine in 2025, since salaries nearly by no means go down within the arbitration system. After Romano’s tough 2024 marketing campaign, the Jays didn’t suppose it was price betting that a lot on a bounceback. Presumably, additionally they checked in with different golf equipment to evaluate commerce curiosity however couldn’t discover any prepared to each have Romano round that value level and quit one thing notable in return.
His well being is a little bit of a query mark as he hasn’t pitched since Could, however Atkins says he doesn’t have any issues going into 2025. Assuming Romano is wholesome, the Jays may definitely use him, as their bullpen was a giant a part of their struggles this 12 months. Toronto relievers posted a collective 4.82 ERA in 2024, a mark that was higher than simply the Rockies. With the membership seeking to rebound in 2025, a stronger bullpen will likely be a vital step.
Bringing Romano again might be part of that, although it can naturally be at a decrease wage than he made final 12 months. Kirby Yates is one other former nearer who had some damage issues and he signed a $4.5MM take care of the Rangers final winter. It’s not an ideal comparability since Yates was going into his age-37 season, however he had at the very least completed the prior season wholesome. After lacking a lot of the 2020 by way of 2022 seasons on account of accidents, he made 61 appearances in 2023 with a 3.28 ERA. Romano will likely be far youthful than Yates however with newer damage troubles. Yates additionally signed a $5.5MM take care of the Jays going into 2021, his age-34 season, after being harm for a lot of 2020. However he ended up present process Tommy John surgical procedure and lacking that complete season. Greg Holland was one among baseball’s high closers earlier than lacking all of 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure, then signing a $7MM take care of the Rockies going into 2017.
Maybe these offers counsel that Romano may earn one thing a bit beneath his 2024 wage, possibly with incentives based mostly on his well being. At that value vary, nearly any membership may get entangled. Even groups with robust bullpens can bump out the man lowest on the pecking order, so Romano figures to have widespread curiosity if Atkins’ evaluation of his well being is appropriate. The Jays determine to be one of many golf equipment most motivated so as to add reduction assist, based mostly on how final 12 months went. Maybe Romano would welcome a return since he was born and raised in Markham, simply exterior Toronto, and has spent his complete large league profession with the Jays. Nevertheless, he ought to have loads of different choices to think about.
