The Philadelphia Phillies took a swing on a few different players last offseason, and while most didn't pan out, the biggest blemish on the offseason was a former Toronto Blue Jays reliever.
Jordan Romano struggled mightily for the Phillies in 2025, and after landing on the injured list late in the season, he never returned to the bullpen. The Phillies then let him walk this offseason, and now, he's signing with a new team.
According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, Romano is heading out West to join the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year, $2 million deal. After a stint in Philadelphia that was a complete bust, Romano will try to bounce back in Los Angeles.
Former Phillies free agent bust to sign with Angels on $2 million MLB deal
"Right-handed reliever Jordan Romano and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $2 million contract, sources tell ESPN." Passan reports.
The Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers are both being active this winter, though the Angels are focusing on reclamation projects, and Romano fits the bill.
The 32-year-old right-hander struggled in Philadelphia in 2025, posting a brutal 8.23 ERA in 49 appearances for the Phillies.
His -1.7 bWAR was a brutal number, and is an apt description of Romano's impact on the Phillies in 2025. He had a few solid outings here and there throughout the season to keep his role alive, but after too long, the Phillies finally moved on.
More: Rangers' JT Realmuto free agent rumor is good news for Phillies
While he was a quality option for the Blue Jays for years, posting a 2.90 ERA in 231 games for Toronto from 2019 through 2024, his regression in 2024 - a 6.59 ERA in 15 appearances with Toronto - got even worse in Philadelphia.
Now, Romano is joining his third team in the Majors, and will try to bounce back in his eighth MLB season with the Angels and their new-look bullpen.
The Phillies reliever is the first free agent the Phillies have lost this winter of note, with J.T. Realmuto, Harrison Bader, Ranger Suarez, and Max Kepler all still unsigned, while Kyle Schwarber returned on a five-year, $150 million deal.
More Phillies news:
- Phillies 'more likely than ever' to trade disgruntled $100 million All-Star
- Phillies receiving trade interest from Mariners on $7.5 million lefty reliever
- Phillies offseason rumor spells bad news for Alec Bohm's future in Philadelphia
- Phillies predicted to replace Ranger Suarez with in-house righty
- Phillies get good news on Tatsuya Imai's free agency interest