Well, well, well, Toronto Blue Jays fans! It seems they’ve decided to play a game of “Who Needs a Closer?” in a bold move to non-tender Jordan Romano, their two-time All-Star closer. And let’s be honest, this sends a clear message to the fans: “Sorry, we’re not interested in keeping you at a price higher than our avocados at Whole Foods.” A reported arbitration salary of $7.75 million—with all the uncertainty stemming from his elbow injury—might’ve just been too rich for the Jays’ blood, or perhaps they just really fancy their chances with an entirely new roster. It’s a gamble, especially after watching a bullpen that more closely resembled a leaky faucet than a tight ship last season.
Now Romano underwent surgery in July that would make even the Terminator cringe, and he did manage to say he felt “great” about his recovery. Isn’t it funny how every athlete’s recovery sounds suspiciously like the plot of a bad romantic comedy? “I’m back, baby!” But the Jays clearly were not swayed by his optimism. Maybe they were still haunted by visions of his injury-riddled stint last season, in which he was more absent than a good punchline in a bad sitcom.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better in the AL East, the New York Yankees are apparently flirting with Jonathan Loaisiga again. He’s been on a comeback tour to rival any reality show. With injuries limiting him to just 21.2 innings over two seasons, one can’t help but think of him in the ‘fragile vase’ category—lovely to look at, just don’t shout too loudly near him. However, the Yankees, who have plenty of experience with Loaisiga’s highs and lows, are cautiously optimistic about this potential reunion. Who knew a potential closer could become the subject of such a riveting, on-the-edge-of-your-seat Netflix documentary?
From the Orioles to the Phillies and now back to free agency, it’s Austin Hays, who had a season so disappointing it could make a soggy biscuit look appealing. With a kidney infection and a wRC+ that was mediocre even by my slightly-deluded standards, the man needs a comeback. Maybe Baltimore will take him back—with open arms, and perhaps a bottle of Pepto Bismol on standby, just in case.
Lastly, let’s talk Tampa Bay Rays, who apparently have decided that a venue change from the comforting confines of Tropicana Field to the great outdoors of George M. Steinbrenner Field is a splendid idea. Sure, Florida’s summer heat, rain delays, and potential thunderstorms will keep those pitchers on their toes. Imagine the math workout required to pencil in a game when you’re not even sure if the sky will cooperate. I hope Erik Neander has his running shoes ready because it sounds like there will be some serious roster gymnastics in store as they prepare for this new ‘open-air’ adventure. I mean, what could possibly go wrong when you mix fierce summer heat and a crowd of baseball-loving sunbathers?
So there you have it, folks! The Blue Jays are scraping the barrel for closers, the Yankees are keeping their options open like a flexible yoga instructor, the Orioles might have a former player returning with plenty of chips on his shoulder, and the Rays are bracing for a storm—quite literally. Keep your hats on, folks; this offseason is shaping up to be an absolute cracker-jack!
The Blue Jays made the controversial decision to non-tender their closer, Jordan Romano, this week, effectively indicating that they would not be extending any contract offer to him, according to a report by Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star. This lack of interest in retaining Romano, particularly with his projected arbitration salary sitting around $7.75 million, likely marks the end of his tenure with the Jays, meaning that the two-time All-Star is expected to pitch for another team in 2025. Given the numerous injuries Romano faced during the 2024 season, including his inability to pitch after May 29 and his subsequent arthroscopic elbow surgery in July, this decision was not entirely unexpected.
While Romano expressed optimism about his recovery, stating to the Toronto Star’s Mike Wilner earlier this month that he was eager to start throwing off a mound and was “feeling great,” it appears the Blue Jays were not as confident in his health status. As they prepare for a challenging offseason, addressing the need for a new closer has become a pressing issue on Toronto’s extensive winter agenda. The Jays are also tasked with revamping a bullpen that struggled significantly last season, ranking among the least effective in Major League Baseball.
More from around the AL East….
- The Yankees are considering bringing back Jonathan Loaisiga, with the team being one of 14 that have shown interest in the reliever, as reported by Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post. Due to elbow ailments over the past two seasons, Loaisiga has only made 21 2/3 appearances in the big leagues, including just 17 2/3 frames in 2023 after undergoing bone spur removal surgery and four innings in 2024 before an unfortunate UCL surgery cut his season short. However, he is not dealing with a Tommy John procedure, and scouts noted that he was recently throwing from 90-foot distances with evaluators from the Yankees on hand. Given that Loaisiga has spent his entire Major League career with the Yankees, the organization has a deep familiarity with his capabilities when healthy, along with insight into his current health situation. His potential signing represents an intriguing buy-low opportunity for the Yankees or any team this offseason.
- Austin Hays, who was traded from the Orioles to the Phillies prior to the trade deadline, has now become a free agent after being non-tendered. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com suggests there’s a possibility of Hays returning to Baltimore. Following a season marred by injuries, including a serious kidney infection while in Philadelphia, Hays managed to produce a subpar 98 wRC+ with a .255/.303/.396 batting average over 255 plate appearances. Historically, when healthy during the 2021-2023 seasons, Hays delivered significantly better performances both offensively and defensively. With Baltimore’s urgent need for right-handed hitting in the outfield, Hays could fill a crucial gap.
- As for the Rays, it remains to be seen if they will ever return to Tropicana Field. However, for the 2025 season, the team is set to compete at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. This transition will necessitate adjustments in the roster, particularly as the Rays will be playing outdoor games in the humid Florida summer instead of within a climate-controlled dome. With rainouts becoming a distinct possibility, president of baseball operations Erik Neander is focusing on acquiring additional multi-inning pitching depth for both the Major League and minor league levels. As Neander articulated to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the objective is to ensure roster flexibility that can handle potential game disruptions effectively, while also preparing for the expected increase in offensive output due to the more favorable hitting conditions at Steinbrenner Field.
How might Jonathan Loaisiga’s potential acquisition by the Yankees influence their pitching depth next season?
**Short Interview on Recent MLB Offseason Moves**
**Interviewer:** Hello, everyone! Today, we’re diving into some of the most intriguing moves in the MLB offseason with our guest, sports analyst and baseball aficionado, Jake Thompson. Thanks for joining us, Jake!
**Jake Thompson:** My pleasure! The offseason has already brought quite a stir in the league.
**Interviewer:** First up, let’s talk about the Toronto Blue Jays and their decision to non-tender closer Jordan Romano. What do you make of this bold move?
**Jake Thompson:** It’s definitely a head-scratcher. Romano, being a two-time All-Star, has shown he can be effective when healthy. But considering his $7.75 million arbitration salary and the elbow issues he faced, the Jays likely weighed the risks and opted for a fresh start. Their bullpen was in dire straits last season; maybe they’re hoping to take a different direction without him.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of new directions, the Yankees are reportedly interested in Jonathan Loaisiga. Given his injury history, do you think he could still be a valuable asset?
**Jake Thompson:** Absolutely! Loaisiga has struggled with injuries, but when he’s on the mound, he’s shown promise. The Yankees know him well, which gives them an advantage. He could be a buy-low opportunity. If he can stay healthy, he might surprise a lot of people next season.
**Interviewer:** Now, let’s shift to Austin Hays. After being non-tendered, what’s next for him? Could he find a home back in Baltimore?
**Jake Thompson:** It’s certainly possible. Hays had a tough season, but he can be a solid player if he gets back on track. Baltimore might be tempted to re-sign him, especially if he’s motivated to prove himself after a rough year.
**Interviewer:** the Tampa Bay Rays are making headlines with their venue switch. How do you think this will affect their performance?
**Jake Thompson:** Moving outdoors can present a whole new set of challenges, especially with Florida’s unpredictable weather. It could impact both player performance and fan attendance. But the Rays have shown they can adapt, so it’ll be interesting to see how they handle the new dynamic.
**Interviewer:** Thanks, Jake! It sounds like this offseason could be full of surprises.
**Jake Thompson:** Definitely! Teams are looking to make strategic moves, and the AL East is certainly not lacking drama. Can’t wait to see how it all unfolds!
**Interviewer:** Thanks for your insights! We’re looking forward to an exciting offseason in baseball.
