Non-tendered by the Toronto Blue Jays, two-time All-Star closer Jordan Romano is now a free agent for the first time. Romano earned nearly $8 million in arbitration last season and had been with the Blue Jays organization for a decade.
Former Blue Jays Closer Seeking New Home in Free Agency
The beloved Canadian right-hander is coming off a rough season where elbow issues landed him on the injured list twice. Romano posted a 6.59 ERA over just 13 ⅔ innings before undergoing arthroscopic surgery for elbow impingement in July. A first-time free agent, Spotrac currently projects the 31-year-old to be worth just over $10.6 million this offseason.
Drafted by Toronto in 2014, Romano began his career as a starter and spent a month with the Rangers following the 2018 Rule 5 Draft. He returned to the Blue Jays organization shortly after and shifted to the bullpen before making his MLB debut in 2019.
Romano notched his first career save and big-league win during the Covid-shortened 2020 season, compiling a 1.23 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 14 ⅔ innings. He became Toronto’s closer the following year, going 7–1 with a 2.14 ERA in 63 innings and 23 saves. In 2022, Romano set a Blue Jays franchise record with 26th consecutive saves dating back to the 2021 season. That same season, he participated in his first All-Star Game and finished third in the American League with 36 saves. Having already recorded 25 saves and a 2.96 ERA, Romano was named to his second-consecutive All-Star team in July 2023.
Romano’s Career Totals
Over his six-year big league career, Jordan Romano has a 20-17 record with a 2.90 ERA and 285 strikeouts. His 105 career saves are the third-most in Blue Jays history and rank 14th among active major league closers. Despite letting their homegrown closer test free agency, Toronto could still bring Romano back if an adequate replacement is unavailable. Having led the Blue Jays to consecutive postseason appearances, Romano should have no issue finding a new home, even outside of his native Canada.
Main Photo Credits: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
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