Will the Toronto Blue Jays let Jordan Romano walk into free agency?
Well the deadline is here and Jordan Romano's future in Toronto remains uncertain.
In six seasons with the Blue Jays the Canadian closer pitched 229.2 innings posted a 2.90 ERA which was 12th among relievers with 200+ innings pitched.
His 105 saves was good for 9th across Major League Baseball (3.7 fWAR).
Romano appeared in just 15 games in 2024, never getting things going as he fell to an ERA of 6.59. His season ended on July 2 when he underwent arthroscopic surgery to strengthen his elbow.
Markham Ontario native Romano who lives in Florida in the off-season, has been working out regularly at the player development complex in Dunedin as he recovers from his elbow impingement.
It is unclear how much serious throwing he is doing this early into the off-season, though it is believed he hasn't simulated any game situations at this point.
Before todays 7 p.m. deadline, Blue Jays brass will likely want to be sure that Romano is healthy and that the surgery has restored his elbow back to the shape it was prior to 2024.
The 31 year old Romano is set to earn a projected $7.75 Million US prior to next season. If the Blue Jays do non-tender Romano, there are options, including negotiating a return at a considerably lower salary.
What might be attractive to the pitcher though, would be a two-year deal, which one could certainly argue he deserves.
If the front office lets him walk they better have a bullpen back up plan that makes sense.
This fanbase is already fired up after a disappointing 2024 campaign and the uncertainty of other fan favorite contracts like Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Bo Bichette.
It would be seen as an unpopular move in the Jays clubhouse, where Romano is
well regarded as a popular teammate and leader among the other relievers.
At his season-ending press conference, general manager Ross Atkins didn't really sound optimistic on Romano's future with the team.
«I mean, he's got to come back and be the pitcher (he's been in the past),» Atkins said when asked whether Romano could be the team's closer in 2025.
«I don't want to just lay my head on the pillow and say 'OK, that's covered.' I want to be open to it, depending upon his return, depending on how he's feeling.»
Until his injury riddled 2024, he had been a an excellent reliever for his hometown team. In parts of six seasons with the Jays, Romano was twice was named to the American League all-star team.
The deadline bell tolls tonight at 7:00 PM ET.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 22 | 69 ANSWERS Will the Toronto Blue Jays let Jordan Romano walk into free agency? Will Ross Atkins let Jordan Romano Walk? | ||
| Yes? | 48 | 69.6 % |
| No? | 6 | 8.7 % |
| Negotiate a short term deal? | 15 | 21.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
