Phillies Fortify Bullpen with Signing of Former Blue Jays Closer Jordan Romano
In a strategic move to bolster their bullpen, the Philadelphia Phillies have secured the services of former Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano. The Phillies inked the 31-year-old right-hander to a one-year deal exceeding $7.75 million, a clear signal of their intent to reinforce their late-inning options following the departure of Carlos Estévez to free agency.
Romano's addition comes at a crucial juncture for the Phillies, who are meticulously shaping their bullpen dynamics. Whether Romano will return to his previous dominant form remains to be seen, as his recent season with the Blue Jays was marred by an elbow injury that required surgical intervention. This setback impacted his performance significantly, as evidenced by his statistics from last season: a 6.59 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP over just 15 appearances.
Despite these recent struggles, Romano's pre-injury track record is promising and has undoubtedly played a role in the Phillies' decision to bring him on board. Between 2019 and 2021, Romano posted a stellar 2.37 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP while accruing an impressive 230 strikeouts across 186 innings. These figures underscore the potential impact he could have if he regains his fitness and form. A healthier, resurgent Romano has the potential to anchor the bullpen effectively with his prior closing experience.
Supporting Cast
To ensure a comprehensive bullpen strategy, the Phillies are also looking toward other arms to support Romano as they navigate the late innings. Right-handed pitchers Orion Kerkering and José Ruiz are in the mix, alongside left-hander Matt Strahm, whose previous year's performance with the Phillies was noteworthy. Strahm's contributions over the 2024 campaign were significant and may prove invaluable as the Phillies explore options for relief pitching depth.
Tanner Banks also left a favorable impression with his reliability in late-season outings, positioning himself as another viable option for crucial relief roles. José Alvarado, conversely, experienced a challenging year, seeing his ERA climb from 1.74 in 2023 to 4.09 last season, coupled with a decline in strikeouts and a rise in his walk rate. His struggles underscore the necessity of having a reinforced bullpen that can step up should any inconsistencies arise in individual performances.
The Strategy Behind Romano's Signing
Romano's arrival serves multiple purposes for the Phillies. Primarily, it addresses the immediate void left by Estévez and the pursuit of a dependable closer who can replicate or improve upon his HoF-worthy performances of past seasons. His past excellence as a closer comes with the reassurance that once fit, Romano has the skill set necessary to steer the Phillies through tight contests and high-pressure scenarios.
The Phillies’ management is optimistic that new environments and advanced rehab plans could propel Romano back to his dominant form. Such rehabilitation pathways could potentially minimize recurrence risks, allowing him to regain that elite velocity and movement on his pitches.
In the realm of professional baseball, where the margin of difference between winning and losing often hinges on bullpen depth, the Phillies' proactive approach with Romano's acquisition demonstrates their commitment to bolstering their roster and strengthening their chances for success in the upcoming season. The melding of Romano's potential resurgence with an array of emerging bullpen arms paints a strategic picture for the Phillies as they eye competency and consistency in their bullpen lineup.