Philadelphia Phillies Bolster Bullpen with Acquisition of Jordan Romano
In a strategic move to reinforce their bullpen, the Philadelphia Phillies have secured the services of Jordan Romano, a former closer for the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander has inked a one-year deal worth over $7.75 million, set to bolster a Phillies bullpen that has been searching for consistency.
Romano's journey to Philadelphia comes after a tumultuous year with the Blue Jays. At 31, Romano found himself non-tendered by Toronto after struggling through an elbow injury that severely affected his performance. This setback necessitated surgery, and his stats last season—featuring a 6.59 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP in just 15 appearances—reflected the challenges he faced on the mound.
Despite this recent downturn, Romano's track record provides ample cause for optimism among Phillies fans. From 2019 to 2021, Romano was a standout relief pitcher, posting a remarkable 2.37 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP while recording 230 strikeouts over 186 innings. This body of work underscores why Philadelphia sees him as a critical piece in their bullpen strategy.
The Phillies' decision to bring Romano on board is also influenced by their need to fill the void left by Carlos Estévez, who has entered free agency. The addition of Romano signals the team's intent to maintain, if not elevate, their bullpen's effectiveness in high-pressure scenarios.
With Romano central to these plans, the Phillies have also fortified their bullpen with a range of supporting options. Right-handed pitchers Orion Kerkering and José Ruiz, alongside left-hander Matt Strahm, stand as key figures in the bullpen's late-inning configuration. Strahm, in particular, had an impressive season in 2024, suggesting he could play a significant role in easing Romano's transition into his new team.
While principal contenders like Tanner Banks—who showed late-season effectiveness—and José Alvarado—who experienced a notable regression last year—are anticipated to contribute, Romano's presence may help stabilize these figures. Alvarado, who boasted a 1.74 ERA in 2023, saw his performance slip to a 4.09 ERA last season, accompanied by a decline in his strikeout rate and an uptick in walks. Romano's arrival could afford pitching staff and management the flexibility to leverage Alvarado's talents more effectively.
For the Phillies, Romano's potential return to form represents an exciting prospect. Should he recapture the brilliance of his earlier seasons, Philadelphia could boast one of the more formidable bullpens in their division. Yet even as excitement builds around Romano's capabilities, the initial focus will remain on supporting his recovery fully, ensuring he is positioned to contribute meaningfully throughout the year.
Ultimately, the signing of Jordan Romano underscores the Phillies’ commitment to building a bullpen capable of navigating the intense demands of the season. This move, reflective of a broader strategic vision, aims at not only recouping lost ground from the previous season but also setting the stage for a potent run in the years ahead.