Phillies Bolster Bullpen with Signing of Former Blue Jays Closer Jordan Romano
In a strategic off-season move, the Philadelphia Phillies have secured the services of Jordan Romano, a former closer for the Toronto Blue Jays. This acquisition aims to add depth and experience to their bullpen, an area the team is intent on strengthening for the upcoming season. Romano, who has been a solid performer for the majority of his career, has inked a one-year deal worth over $7.75 million.
Romano's addition comes after the Phillies found themselves in need of reliable late-inning options following the departure of Carlos Estévez to free agency. His arrival could fill that void, as the Phillies place their faith in Romano's ability to return to form after a challenging season marred by injury.
At 31, Romano enters the Phillies roster carrying the scars of his latest season with Toronto, one that was hampered by an elbow injury that eventually required surgery. The physical setback was evident in his 2024 performance, resulting in a troubling 6.59 ERA across 15 appearances. Concerns about his effectiveness are countered by an optimistic outlook shared by the organization and fans who recall Romano’s impressive earlier performance metrics.
During the 2019 to 2021 seasons, Romano established himself as a formidable force on the mound. He maintained an impressive 2.37 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP, coupled with 230 strikeouts over 186 innings. This period underscored his ability to perform at a high level, and if he manages to regain that form, he could prove indispensable to a Phillies bullpen that has seen its fair share of ups and downs.
Supporting Romano in the bullpen will be a blend of seasoned and emerging talent. Right-handers Orion Kerkering and José Ruiz are anticipated to play crucial roles, alongside left-hander Matt Strahm, who had an outstanding 2024 season. Strahm's performance provided a reassuring presence for the Phillies’ late innings, and he will likely be a pivotal figure again as the team looks to refine its closing strategy.
The Phillies also have Tanner Banks in their ranks, who delivered remarkable outings late last season, showcasing his reliability under pressure. However, the team’s ambitions may hinge significantly on the efforts of seasoned pitchers like José Alvarado. The veteran reliever saw his ERA balloon from an impressive 1.74 in 2023 to 4.09 last season, coupled with declining strikeout ratios and increasing walk rates. Such downward trends are a concern the Phillies’ management hopes to address to ensure a tighter bullpen performance overall.
With spring training on the horizon, the integration of Romano into the Phillies’ pitching roster will be keenly observed by fans and analysts alike. His health and ability to rebound from injury will be critical factors, not just for his personal success, but for the broader aspirations of the Phillies in the ever-competitive league landscape. As he transitions into this new chapter with the Phillies, Romano stands poised to make a definitive statement about his resilience and capability on the path back to MLB prominence.