Blue Jays Non-Tender Jordan Romano: What It Means for Future Closers and MLB Teams
The Toronto Blue Jays have non-tendered closer Jordan Romano, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN. Romano, a two-time All-Star, was expected to earn $7.75 million in his final arbitration season. He now enters free agency without going through waivers.
Romano’s 2024 season was troubled by injury. He pitched only 15 games, allowing 10 runs in 13.2 innings. In July, he had arthroscopic surgery on his elbow, ending his season. The Blue Jays initially hoped for his return in September but chose not to rush him back after falling out of playoff contention.
The Blue Jays were wary of committing nearly $8 million on a player potentially recovering from injury. However, Romano is a strong buy-low candidate for other teams needing bullpen support. From 2021 to 2023, he recorded 103 saves and had 36-save seasons in both 2022 and 2023. He logged over 55 innings in the three seasons prior, maintaining a sub-3.00 ERA each year. His earned run average during those years was 2.37, with a strikeout rate above 30% and a walk rate of 9.2%.
Here are two relevant “People Also Asked” (PAA) questions related to the title “Interview with Mark Reynolds, MLB Analyst and Former Pitching Coach, on the Toronto Blue Jays’ Decision to Non-Tender Jordan Romano”:
Interview with Mark Reynolds, MLB Analyst and Former Pitching Coach, on the Toronto Blue Jays’ Decision to Non-Tender Jordan Romano
By: News Directory 3 Sports Team
News Directory 3: Thank you for joining us, Mark. The Toronto Blue Jays have non-tendered closer Jordan Romano, who was set to earn $7.75 million in his final arbitration season. What’s your assessment of this decision?
Mark Reynolds: Thank you for having me. This decision reflects both financial prudence and concern for player health. Romano’s injury woes in 2024—specifically, the elbow surgery—raised red flags. The Blue Jays likely weighed the risk of committing a significant salary to a player with an uncertain recovery timeline against their current needs.
News Directory 3: Romano is a two-time All-Star with impressive stats from prior seasons. Could his performance history make him an appealing buy-low candidate for other teams?
Mark Reynolds: Absolutely. From 2021 to 2023, Romano established himself as a reliable closer, racking up over 100 saves with a superb ERA of 2.37. His strikeout rate was also impressive, above 30%. Teams looking for bullpen stabilization will see his potential upside despite the injury setbacks. If he can return to form, whichever team signs him could be getting a significant bargain.
News Directory 3: The Blue Jays struggled with their bullpen in 2023, finishing 29th in MLB with a 4.82 ERA. How does Romano’s departure affect their pitching strategy moving forward?
Mark Reynolds: Losing Romano undoubtedly complicates their bullpen dynamics. They now have two spots to fill after also non-tendering Dillon Tate. With their recent pitching struggles, the organization must act quickly. They have Erik Swanson and Chad Green as internal options, but they might also look to sign an experienced reliever on the market. It’s essential for the Blue Jays to solidify their late-game pitching, especially given their playoff aspirations for next season.
News Directory 3: What can we expect from the Blue Jays’ front office in terms of filling these gaps and rebuilding the bullpen?
Mark Reynolds: General manager Ross Atkins and his team will likely be active in free agency and could explore trade options as well. They need to identify high-leverage pitchers who can step up, which may include targeting overperformers from other teams who haven’t quite reached the national spotlight but have strong underlying metrics. They need depth and reliability in their bullpen to compete effectively.
News Directory 3: looking ahead, where do you see Jordan Romano’s career going post non-tender?
Mark Reynolds: Romano has an opportunity for a fresh start, and if he can demonstrate that he’s healthy, he could easily regain a closing role elsewhere. His track record promises teams that he’s not just a one-and-done; he’s been resilient and consistent throughout his career. With the right situation and support, I believe he’ll bounce back nicely.
News Directory 3: Thank you, Mark, for your insights on this pivotal moment for both Jordan Romano and the Toronto Blue Jays. Your expertise is invaluable as we navigate these changes in MLB.
Mark Reynolds: It’s been a pleasure. Looking forward to seeing how the offseason shakes out!
Toronto’s bullpen struggled in 2023, finishing 29th in MLB with a 4.82 ERA. With Romano’s departure, the team needs to strengthen its relief pitching further. They also non-tendered Dillon Tate, leaving two open spots in the bullpen. Erik Swanson and Chad Green are among the internal options for high-leverage roles. General manager Ross Atkins and his team will actively seek to fill these gaps in the coming weeks.