The Angels are taking a calculated swing on a once-elite arm, signing veteran reliever Jordan Romano to a one-year deal reportedly worth $2 million. It’s a low-risk move for a club still shaping its bullpen, and with several open spots on the 40-man roster, there’s room to experiment. This deal comes on the heels of another bullpen addition - lefty Drew Pomeranz - as the Halos look to patch together a more dependable relief corps heading into 2026.
Romano isn’t just any reclamation project. Just a couple of years ago, he was closing games for the Blue Jays with authority.
From 2021 through 2023, he was one of the most reliable late-inning arms in the American League, posting a sub-3.00 ERA in each of those seasons and racking up back-to-back 36-save campaigns in ’22 and ’23. He earned All-Star nods in both of those years, showcasing a fastball-slider combo that overwhelmed hitters when he was right.
But the past two seasons have been a different story - and not a pretty one. Romano’s 2024 campaign was derailed early by elbow issues, culminating in arthroscopic surgery after just 15 appearances and a 6.59 ERA. The Blue Jays opted not to tender him a contract, cutting ties with a pitcher who was once a lockdown closer.
Even so, Romano managed to land an $8.5 million deal with the Phillies in free agency - a surprising number given his health concerns, but a testament to the upside teams still see in his stuff. Unfortunately, things didn’t improve in Philadelphia.
He logged 42 2/3 innings with an 8.23 ERA, struggling with command, the long ball, and eventually, injuries again - this time to his throwing hand and neck. His season ended in August, and the Phillies moved on.
So why are the Angels giving him another shot? For one, the price tag is modest.
At $2 million, this is a classic “what if” signing - the kind of deal that can look like a steal if a player bounces back to even a fraction of his former self. And despite the rough numbers, Romano still flashes the tools that made him dominant not long ago.
His fastball sits in the mid-90s, and his slider - when it’s biting - can still miss bats. He struck out 25% of hitters last season and posted an 11.8% swinging strike rate, which suggests the raw stuff hasn’t completely disappeared.
Of course, the challenge is getting him back to a place where he can consistently command that arsenal. Injuries and home runs have plagued him the last two years, and if those issues persist, it’s hard to see him carving out a meaningful role. But if the Angels can help him rediscover his rhythm and stay healthy, Romano could become a valuable piece in a bullpen that’s short on proven right-handed arms.
For now, he’s likely to open the season in a low-leverage role - a chance to work his way back without the pressure of closing games. The Angels are still searching for a true right-handed setup option, especially with Kenley Jansen no longer in the picture.
Robert Stephenson is penciled in as the favorite to take over the ninth inning, but his health is a question mark. Ben Joyce is coming off shoulder surgery and remains a wild card.
Other internal options like Ryan Zeferjahn, José Fermin, Chase Silseth, Sam Bachman, and Cody Laweryson offer potential, but none have locked down significant late-inning responsibilities.
The bullpen isn’t the only area the Angels still need to address. Starting pitching, infield depth, and center field all remain on the offseason to-do list.
But in Romano, they’re taking a swing at upside without much financial risk. If he can stay on the mound and recapture even a glimpse of his All-Star form, this could be one of the more savvy bullpen additions of the winter.