Blue Jays Non-Tender Closer Jordan Romano: What It Means for the Team’s Future
The Toronto Blue Jays announced they have non-tendered closer Jordan Romano, making him a free agent a year earlier than expected. Romano made $7.75 million in 2024 and had one year left on his contract. He is projected to earn a similar amount after arbitration. The Blue Jays may consider re-signing him, but he will explore the free-agent market for the first time.
Romano, from Markham, Ontario, only pitched 15 times in 2024 due to elbow surgery, which ended his season early. When healthy, he was a dependable reliever and became the team’s closer in 2020. He earned All-Star honors in both 2022 and 2023.
In 2022, Romano recorded 36 saves in 42 chances, with a 2.11 ERA. He also had 73 strikeouts and 21 walks, which earned him the Tip O’Neill Award for the best Canadian player. In 2023, he again had 36 saves and finished with a 2.90 ERA over 59 innings.
How could Jordan Romano’s injury history affect his market value in free agency?
Interview with Baseball Analyst on Jordan Romano’s Non-Tender Decision
News Directory 3: Today we have with us Alex Thompson, a seasoned baseball analyst, to discuss the Toronto Blue Jays’ recent decision to non-tender closer Jordan Romano, making him a free agent a year earlier than anticipated.
News Directory 3: Alex, thank you for joining us. The Blue Jays’ decision to non-tender Jordan Romano surprised many fans. What are the implications of this move?
Alex Thompson: Thanks for having me. The non-tender of Jordan Romano is indeed noteworthy. By not offering him a contract for 2024, the Blue Jays are essentially deciding to forego his services for next season, which complicates their bullpen situation. Romano’s history as a reliable closer, especially with two All-Star appearances, makes this a tough but potentially strategic decision. Given his recent elbow surgery that sidelined him for most of 2024 after only 15 appearances, the front office might be cautious about his long-term health and effectiveness.
News Directory 3: Romano was projected to earn a substantial amount post-arbitration. Do you think the Blue Jays might consider re-signing him if he becomes too costly?
Alex Thompson: That’s a very real possibility. Romano made $7.75 million in 2024, and while he had a solid track record before the injury, his current health status could make teams tentative. If the free-agent market doesn’t bring in offers that exceed his expected arbitration numbers, we could see both parties finding common ground. However, it’s also an opportunity for Romano to explore what might be out there, which could help both him and the Jays if they find the right deal.
News Directory 3: Romano had impressive numbers, including 36 saves in both 2022 and 2023. How significant are these stats in the context of this non-tender decision?
Alex Thompson: Those stats highlight the kind of talent Romano is capable of delivering when healthy. A 2.11 ERA in 2022 and a 2.90 ERA in 2023 demonstrate his effectiveness as a closer, which is why his injury struggles raise red flags for the Blue Jays. With 105 career saves and a strong performance history, it’s clear Romano can contribute significantly when fit. The decision seems to weigh heavily on the uncertainty surrounding his recovery and the risk associated with his contract.
News Directory 3: The Blue Jays also opted to non-tender reliever Dillon Tate but retained Erik Swanson. How does this fit into their overall strategy?
Alex Thompson: Non-tendering Tate while keeping Swanson suggests a shift in their approach to bullpen management. Swanson was effective last season, so they might see him as a more reliable asset moving forward. The team is likely trying to streamline costs while bolstering a bullpen that needs stability—especially with the uncertainty surrounding Romano. Their strategy seems to focus on maintaining a mix of reliable players while managing financial health in a competitive market.
News Directory 3: As a final thought, what’s next for Jordan Romano? Do you think he’ll find success in the free-agent market?
Alex Thompson: Absolutely, Romano’s track record generally speaks for itself. Though he’s coming off surgery, there’s enough upside in his performance history that teams will definitely be interested. He could receive shorter-term offers or deals with incentives tied to his performance and health. His decision to explore free agency could lead to opportunities that don’t just pay him well but also allow for a fresh start, which might be just what he needs to return to form.
News Directory 3: Thank you, Alex, for your insights. It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds for both Romano and the Blue Jays in the coming months.
Alex Thompson: Thank you for having me! It’s always exciting to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of Major League Baseball.
Overall, Romano has a career 2.90 ERA with 105 saves and a 20-17 record in 229.2 innings with the Blue Jays. The team also chose to non-tender reliever Dillon Tate but agreed to terms with Erik Swanson to avoid arbitration. The deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players was Friday at 8 p.m. ET.