Baltimore Orioles Target JoJo Romero for Bullpen Depth

The Baltimore Orioles have quietly jumped into one of the offseason’s most fascinating arms races. Suddenly, they’re a real contender for St. Louis Cardinals lefty JoJo Romero.

The Yankees and Mariners are sniffing around too. Romero’s a cost-effective, ground-ball specialist—exactly the kind of late-inning arm contenders crave.

Why JoJo Romero Is Suddenly a Hot Trade Target

Romero isn’t a household name. But if you ask folks in MLB front offices, his skill set checks almost every box for a high-leverage reliever.

The Cardinals are retooling, and Romero’s just a year from free agency. The timing feels right for both sides to consider a move.

A Proven Performer Since Landing in St. Louis

Romero came over from the Phillies in 2022. Since then, he’s quietly built the kind of résumé that gets relievers noticed.

He’s logged 171 innings with St. Louis, posting a 3.00 ERA. That’s steady, reliable work. The underlying stats back it up:

Romero usually sits around 94 mph with his fastballs. He mixes pitches well, so he can handle both lefties and righties—not just a matchup guy.

He owns 12 saves and 64 holds. Managers trust him when the game’s on the line, and that says a lot.

Why the Cardinals Are Motivated to Move Him Now

Trading a reliable lefty in his walk year might look risky. But for St. Louis, it’s a hard-earned lesson.

The Cardinals once held onto Erick Fedde and Ryan Helsley at the deadline. That didn’t work out—they lost leverage and missed their window as things changed. Pitchers are always one pitch from trouble, so there’s pressure to deal Romero while his value’s high.

He’s projected by MLB Trade Rumors for a reasonable $4.4 million salary next season. That makes him the kind of asset you move before luck or health turns against you.

Why the Orioles Are Zeroing In on Romero

Baltimore’s rise has come from young hitters and sharp roster moves. The bullpen, though, has turned into a real headache—an area screaming for upgrades.

A Bullpen in Transition After a Major Overhaul

The Orioles’ bullpen looks totally different now. They moved on from big arms like Gregory Soto, Seranthony Domínguez, and Andrew Kittredge. Losing Félix Bautista to shoulder surgery only made things worse late in games.

The 40-man roster lists a few lefties, sure. But honestly, none of them bring Romero’s mix of performance, ground balls, late-inning experience, and reasonable salary. If Baltimore lands him, he’d probably jump right near the top of their bullpen and get the ball in big spots—seventh, eighth, maybe even ninth inning, depending on the night.

Fit, Value, and the Competitive Landscape

This offseason, the left-handed reliever market has moved fast. Several arms have already signed or switched teams, but Romero stands out as maybe the clearest trade target left.

The Yankees and Mariners, both chasing October and boasting parks that suit ground-ball pitchers, have reportedly shown interest. That makes sense—they’re not alone, either.

From Baltimore’s perspective, the appeal is pretty simple:

Contenders looking for reliable late-inning outs—without getting stuck in a long-term deal—should look at Romero. If the Orioles outmaneuver the Yankees, Mariners, or any other lurking teams, they might just answer one of their biggest offseason questions with one well-timed move.

 
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