The Phillies are closing in on a one-year contract for right-handed reliever Jordan Romano, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Jim Salisbury first reported that the Phillies have shown interest in Romano.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the deal is worth $8.5 million with a $500,000 bonus if he reaches 60 innings pitched.
It’s an upside play for the Phillies. Romano, who has 105 career saves, missed most of the 2024 season due to an elbow injury. He was non-tendered by the Jays and ended up signing with the Phillies for a number similar to what he was projected to make in his third year of arbitration.
When healthy, Romano has been one of the best closers in the sport. He made the American League All-Star team in 2022 and 2023. From 2020 to 2023, Romano has an impressive 2.29 ERA in 199 appearances. It’s possible that the Phillies, who have shied away from using a set closer with Rob Thomson as manager, could predominantly use Romano as a ninth-inning option.
The move all but guarantees that one of Jeff Hoffman or Carlos Estevez will not be back. Per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies “have remained interested in a reunion with Hoffman.”
Re-signing Hoffman could be tough. Some interested teams reportedly like him as a rotation arm, which could drive up the price.
