The baseball world is buzzing with the news that the New York Yankees are showing interest in left-handed pitcher JoJo Romero. This development has sparked excitement and intrigue, especially given the current state of the Yankees' bullpen.
The Yankees' Bullpen Shuffle
The Yankees have seen some key departures in their bullpen, with Devin Williams and Mark Leiter Jr. leaving via free agency. Additionally, Luke Weaver remains unsigned, leaving a gap in the team's left-handed pitching depth. To address this, the Yankees signed Ryan Yarbrough to add some left-handed presence, but he is more versatile than a dedicated reliever. Veteran Tim Hill is expected to fill one left-handed spot, and the team also has Brent Headrick and Jayvien Sandridge on the 40-man roster, providing further options.
However, there is an opportunity for the Yankees to bolster their left-handed experience, and JoJo Romero could be an excellent addition. Romero has had three successful seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, and his performance has improved each year. Since the 2023 season opener, Romero has maintained an impressive 2.93 ERA over 156 2/3 innings for the Cardinals, with his ERA dropping significantly to 2.07 in 2025.
Romero's Ground Game
Romero's strength lies in his ability to induce ground balls and soft contact. Over his MLB career, he has a remarkable 53.7% grounder rate, and in 2025, he achieved a personal best of 35.1% in hard-hit balls. This is a testament to his skill in keeping the ball on the ground and limiting powerful hits. While his strikeout numbers may not be eye-catching, Romero's 22.8% career strikeout rate is respectable and shows he can contribute beyond just inducing grounders.
The Controversy
But here's where it gets interesting: Romero's lack of strikeouts might be a point of contention for some teams. His 4.10 SIERA reflects a lower strikeout rate, and his walk rate of 11.4% in 2025 was higher than usual. This could be a concern, especially when compared to his earlier struggles with control during his time with the Phillies.
Despite this, Romero's overall performance and track record make him an attractive option for many teams, especially those seeking an affordable left-handed reliever.
The Cardinals' Dilemma
And this is the part most people miss: the Cardinals themselves are in a tricky situation. They are currently in rebuild mode and have received numerous calls about Romero. However, they are also actively seeking experienced relief help for their own bullpen. If they can't find suitable options in free agency or through trades, they might decide to keep Romero, especially if a trade offer isn't particularly enticing. The Cardinals could choose to wait until the season starts to explore trade options further, or they might feel more comfortable trading Romero if they acquire another veteran reliever soon.
So, what do you think? Is Romero a valuable addition to the Yankees' bullpen, or are his strikeout numbers a cause for concern? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
