The Phils are betting on a bounceback. Romano, 32 in February, simply completed a irritating and injury-marred season with the Blue Jays however was their nearer for 3 years previous to that. The righty saved 95 video games for the Jays from 2021-23, tossing 186 innings with a 2.37 earned run common. He struck out 30.3% of batters confronted in that point whereas giving out walks at a 9.2% clip and getting grounders on 42.3% of balls in play.
However 2024 was largely a misplaced season for him. He began the season on the injured listing on account of some proper elbow irritation and by no means gave the impression to be absolutely wholesome. He went on and off the IL all year long, making simply 15 appearances with a 6.59 ERA. His 21% strikeout price in that small pattern was not solely beneath his earlier work but additionally beneath league common.
He underwent arthroscopic surgical procedure on the elbow in July and was given an estimated six-week shutdown time-frame. The Jays had been hoping to get Romano again on the mound earlier than the season was up however that didn’t come to go. His final main league look was Could 29.
The Jays might have retained Romano for yet one more season through arbitration. Salaries nearly by no means go down through the arb system, so MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected the righty for a similar $7.75M wage he made in 2024. The Jays apparently weren’t keen to fork over that form of money for the possibility to search out out if Romano might recover from his misplaced season, as he was not tendered a contract for 2025. Basic supervisor Ross Atkins said that he anticipated Romano to be wholesome and hoped to re-sign him, however presumably at a cheaper price level. As a substitute, it appears Romano will get a contemporary begin with a brand new group with out a pay lower.
The Philadelphia bullpen has been shuffled fairly a bit in latest months. They traded away Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto on the commerce deadline, then misplaced Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez to free company at season’s finish. They nonetheless have some good arms again there, together with Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm, however they’ve naturally been on the lookout for bullpen upgrades this winter.
Choosing Romano additionally is smart for monetary causes. The Phils have spent some huge cash on their roster in recent times, each through free company and extensions of incumbent gamers. That has led to them paying the aggressive steadiness tax three years in a row now. Going into 2025, they had been projected to have a excessive payroll and CBT quantity but once more earlier than even making any offseason strikes.
That has seemingly led to a shift in strategy this winter. Whereas they’ve been related to lots of the high accessible free brokers in latest offseasons, they seemingly didn’t become involved within the Juan Soto frenzy and there have been many rumors about them attempting to commerce gamers like Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm and others.
They reportedly had some curiosity in re-signing Hoffman and Estevez however each will probably be signing offers far bigger than this pact for Romano. Firstly of the offseason, MLBTR predicted Hoffman for a four-year, $44M deal. That was earlier than golf equipment reportedly expressed curiosity in him as a starter, which might probably improve his incomes energy. Estevez was projected for a extra modest $27M assure over three years, however nonetheless a notable dedication.
By going for Romano, the Phils are hoping that they’re making a giant improve to their bullpen however at a comparatively low price since they’re shopping for low. There may be some threat there, as relievers are usually risky on the whole and Romano is coming off an injury-marred season, however it’s a logical gamble to take. If issues go particularly effectively, it’s doable the Phils might lengthen a qualifying provide to Romano on the finish of subsequent yr. Qualifying provides for relievers are uncommon, however guys like Josh Hader, Raisel Iglesias and Will Smith have obtained them in recent times.
Now factoring in Romano, RosterResource initiatives the Phillies for a $270M payroll. That will be a franchise report by a big margin, with Cot’s Baseball Contracts having them within the $242M-244M vary in recent times. RR initiatives the CBT quantity at $289M for subsequent yr. That’s not solely past the $241M base threshold but additionally the second and third tiers of $261M and $281M, respectively. As a third-time CBT payor, the Phils will probably be a 50% base tax subsequent yr in addition to surcharges of 12%, 45% and 60% for spending past the upper tiers. Which means they’re already slated for a 95% tax price on any further spending proper now and a 110% price in the event that they transcend $301M, although efficiently buying and selling away a notable contract might drop them decrease. If they continue to be above the third line of $281M, they might additionally see their high choose within the 2026 draft dropped again 10 spots. All of those may very well be important components because the membership seems to make additional upgrades this offseason.
