The Toronto Blue Jays have a big decision to make regarding pitcher Jordan Romano as the MLB's arbitration non-tender deadline is rapidly approaching.
Romano has an awful season in 2024 like the majority of his teammates as he finished the year with an abysmal 6.59 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched while missing the majority of the season due to an elbow injury which is why the Blue Jays might let him walk.
Blue Jays pitcher Jordan Romano might be headed to free agency as of November 22nd
The MLB's arbitration non-tender deadline is coming up in less than 10 days as the Blue Jays have until November 22nd to offer Romano an arbitration contract if not he will become a free agent.
The Blue Jays have until November 22nd to decide on a path forward, with MLB's arbitration non-tender deadline at 7 p.m. ET on that Friday. -Bannon
Romano's projected contract is set to be at $7.75 million which exactly how much he made in 2024 but with the Blue Jays bullpen doing so awful last season just as Romano did, this might end up being a massive overpay.
MLB Trade Rumors estimates Romano's 2025 arbitration contract would cost around $7.75 million, the exact number he made in 2024. If he's anywhere close to the 2021 to 2023 Romano, who pitched to a 2.37 ERA and saved 95 games across three seasons, it's the easiest tender in baseball. But, the latest version of Romano is full of waving red flags - and $7.75 million is a lot to invest in such uncertainty. -Bannon
One of the bigger risks in regards to Romano is that he dealt with a big injury this past season while also having multiple set backs in his recovery throughout the process.
If the Blue Jays decided to bring Romano back there is a chance he either gets injured again as his elbow is not properly healed or that he is unable to return to the pitcher he once was.
There is a chance that Romano could return to the Blue Jays even if they miss the deadline as he could become a free agent and they could renegotiate another deal for less money since the risk is higher.
If the Blue Jays decide to non-tender Romano, it's not entirely over for the Canadian in Toronto. The team could work with Romano and his agent to bring the righty back on a reformatted deal. We saw the Milwaukee Brewers do exactly this with an injured Brandon Woodruff last year. -Bannon
The Blue Jays have a little over a week to decide if they want to keep Romano or let him walk.