Jordan Romano, once the face of the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen, has officially transitioned to the Philadelphia Phillies after being surprisingly non-tendered by Toronto. This move marks not just a new chapter for the 31-year-old right-handed pitcher, but also signifies the end of his long association with the Blue Jays, where he carved out his identity as one of the franchise's most reliable closers.
Originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 10th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, Romano established himself as a formidable presence on the mound over six seasons, accumulating 105 saves alongside impressive stats—an ERA of 2.90 and 285 strikeouts over 231 appearances. He was also honored with two consecutive All-Star selections in both 2022 and 2023 and won the Tip O'Neill Award for being the best Canadian-born player. Yet, after battling injuries, particularly throughout the troublesome 2024 season, where he only managed to pitch 13.2 innings with a dismal ERA of 6.59, the Blue Jays opted to non-tender him, thrusting him back onto the free agency market.
Speaking at Phillies spring training, Romano shared his thoughts on the abrupt end to his time with the Blue Jays, indicating, "It was definitely a little bit of a shocker." He expressed genuine attachment to the Toronto fanbase, stating, "The fans there were so good to me. I’ll definitely miss them as well," bringing to light his appreciation for the support he received over the years.
Following his surgery on his throwing elbow last July, Romano worked hard throughout the offseason to recover and prepare for the new season, now feeling strong as he embarks on his new path, saying, "Feeling great now, finally." This resilience and determination seem to be thematic of his career, consistently emphasizing the importance of overcoming personal and professional challenges.
The Philadelphia Phillies wasted no time pursuing Romano post non-tendering, securing him with a one-year, $8.5 million contract, including a $500,000 bonus contingent on his pitching 60 innings. Romano's decision to join the Phillies came after evaluating several offers, with the team’s competitive nature and his long-standing desire to play for them influencing his choice. "Philly is definitely a place where I really wanted to play, and I’m glad they showed some interest in me and we got something done," he reflected, indicating excitement about the challenge and opportunity before him.
Romano joins the Phillies during a pivotal moment for the franchise. The 2025 Phillies retain much of their core from the previous season, indicating continuity amid the hustle and bustle of the offseason. Previously, they lost relievers Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez to free agency, leading them to seek reinforcements, hence prioritizing Romano’s signing. The front office believes if Romano can regain his form, his contributions will be indispensable as they chase another World Series title.
While it remains to be seen how effectively he can return to his pre-injury form, the Phillies are counting on him to step up and take on the closer role effectively. Manager Rob Thomson has not indicated traditional roles for his bullpen arms, yet Romano is expected to see plenty of high-leverage situations, especially with the team seeking consistent relief efforts to make strides during the season.
Romano’s arrival adds intrigue to the Phillies’ bullpen dynamics, and fans are eager to see how he can leverage his past successes to support their championship aspirations. Romano's past success coupled with his renewed passion for the game may very well yield positive results for his new team. He’s already building rapport with the existing roster during spring training, happily describing the environment, "the guys have been super welcoming."
Despite the hurdles he faced last year, Romano seems enthused about this fresh start. His emotional connection to Toronto will always be part of his story, but the challenge of contributing to the Philadelphia Phillies could be the next big chapter. With aspirations high, both Romano and the Phillies are ready to tackle what promises to be an exciting 2025 season.