Why Jordan Romano Still Matters for the Phillies Bullpen

Baseball is a weird game. One day you’re an All-Star with ice in your veins, and the next, you’re looking at an 8.23 ERA that feels like a typo. Honestly, that’s the reality for Jordan Romano, and it’s why his tenure with the Philadelphia Phillies is one of the most polarizing topics in South Philly sports talk right now.

Last winter, Dave Dombrowski took a gamble. He signed Romano to a one-year, $8.5 million deal, hoping the former Blue Jays closer could recapture that 97-mph magic. It didn't quite go to plan. In fact, if we're being blunt, it was a bit of a disaster. But even as Romano moves on to a $2 million "prove it" deal with the Los Angeles Angels for the 2026 season, the ripples of that signing are still being felt at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies and the Jordan Romano Experiment

When the news first broke that the Phillies have signed reliever Jordan Romano, fans were split. Half the city thought it was a genius "buy-low" move on a guy who saved 36 games just two years prior. The other half saw the elbow issues in Toronto and smelled trouble.

Turns out, the skeptics had the better nose for this one.

Romano's 2025 season in red pinstripes was... let’s call it "challenging." He made 49 appearances and gave up 10 home runs in less than 43 innings. You just can’t do that in the NL East. Especially not when the Braves and Mets are waiting to pounce on every hanging slider. By August, he was on the shelf with finger inflammation and neck stiffness—the kind of "nerve thing" that makes scouts very nervous.

Why did Dave Dombrowski take the risk?

Basically, the Phillies were desperate for high-leverage arms but didn't want to commit 4 or 5 years to guys like Jeff Hoffman or Carlos Estévez, who were commanding massive contracts. Romano was a lottery ticket. If he hits, you have a top-tier closer for under $10 million. If he misses, you lose some cash and a roster spot.

✨ Don't miss: Why the Kobe Bryant Dear Basketball Poem Still Makes Us Cry

He missed. Hard.

But here is the thing people forget: Relievers are volatile. Like, "stock market in 2008" volatile. One year you're Craig Kimbrel in his prime, and the next you're searching for your release point in Triple-A. Romano’s strikeout rate actually sat at a decent 25.1% last year, so the "stuff" wasn't completely gone. He just couldn't keep the ball in the park.

What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Bullpen

It’s easy to point at Romano’s ERA and scream. I get it. I’ve done it. But the collapse of the Romano experiment forced the Phillies into some creative—and ultimately better—solutions.

1. Orion Kerkering's Ascent: With Romano struggling, the training wheels had to come off for Kerkering. He's basically the closer of the future now.
2. The Trade Market: Because the Romano signing failed to stabilize the back end, the Phillies had to get aggressive elsewhere, eventually leading to better rotation stability with guys like Jesús Luzardo.
3. Financial Flexibility: By not locking Romano into a long-term deal, the Phillies cleared his $8.5 million off the books for 2026.

Wait, $8.5 million doesn't sound like much in "baseball money," right? Wrong. In the world of the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT), every dollar matters. The Phillies are third-time CBT payors. That means they’re paying a 50% base tax plus surcharges. Romano’s "cheap" deal actually cost the team closer to $16 million when you factor in the luxury tax penalties.

✨ Don't miss: Super Bowl 52 stats: Why this shootout was basically a defensive nightmare

The Reality of Jordan Romano in 2026

So, where is he now? As of mid-January 2026, Romano has officially signed with the Los Angeles Angels. It’s a one-year, $2 million deal. It's the ultimate "we're taking a flyer on you" contract. He even had to withdraw from Team Canada for the World Baseball Classic to focus on his health.

For the Phillies, the Jordan Romano era is officially over. But his story serves as a massive cautionary tale for the 2026 offseason. You can't just throw money at a "name" and hope their elbow holds together.

Actionable Insights for Phillies Fans

If you're following the team's moves this winter, keep these three things in mind:

• Watch the Injury Reports: The Phillies are currently looking at "reclamation projects" again. If a guy has a history of "nerve things" or neck stiffness like Romano did, be wary.
• The Kerkering Factor: Expect Orion Kerkering to be the focal point of the bullpen. The team is no longer looking for a "Romano-type" to take over; they're looking for bridge guys to get to Kerkering.
• The Luxury Tax Wall: The Phillies have about $80 million coming off the books next year (thanks to contracts like Taijuan Walker and Nick Castellanos ending). They are playing the long game now.

The Phillies have signed reliever Jordan Romano was a headline that promised a return to the 2008 "perfect season" vibes of Brad Lidge. It didn't deliver that. Instead, it delivered a lesson in the fragility of a pitcher's arm.

Moving forward, the front office seems much more inclined to trust their internal development—or trade for proven, younger arms with years of control left—rather than betting the house on a veteran bounce-back. And honestly? That's probably for the best.