In a move that might surprise many, the Angels have officially signed right-handed reliever Jordan Romano to a one-year deal, following a challenging season in Philadelphia that didn’t meet expectations. This signing highlights a common trend in baseball where teams take a chance on players looking to restore their former peak performance, often labeled as 'reclamation projects.' But here's where it gets controversial—does investing in players recovering from rough seasons truly pay off, or is it just a gamble?
Romano, who has been a two-time All-Star closer, agreed to this agreement with the Angels, a team that ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently characterized as actively gathering such reclamation targets in hopes they'll bounce back to All-Star levels. The contract is reported to be around $2 million, a modest investment considering his past potential.
In addition to Romano, the Angels announced the signing of left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz, also on a one-year deal. Multiple sources have quoted the contract as being worth approximately $4 million. Pomeranz joins the team after last season with the Chicago Cubs, where he made a solid impact with a 2.17 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP across 57 appearances, striking out 57 batters while only walking 15.
Now, why is the Romano signing particularly intriguing? Well, his recent performance has raised eyebrows. The 32-year-old Ontario native struggled significantly in 2024, posting an ugly 8.23 ERA over 49 games—a sharp decline from his earlier days. His previous season with Toronto was marred by injury, and when he did pitch, his ERA soared to 6.59 over just 13 ⅔ innings, hampered mainly by right elbow inflammation.
Looking back, Romano once stood out as a reliable and dominant closer. Between 2021 and 2023, he posted a stellar 2.37 ERA, saved 95 games, and earned All-Star nods in both 2022 and 2023. His career achievements in those years had many fans and analysts believing he was one of the elite closers in Major League Baseball.
Adding to the intrigue, Romano is now the second former Blue Jay to join the Angels. Earlier this month, they also signed Alek Manoah, a highly regarded pitcher who has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency.
The Angels, who are coming off yet another season of disappointment, are in a long-standing rebuild. They've now missed the playoffs for 11 straight years—with their last postseason appearance in 2014 after reaching the ALCS in 2009. Their recent moves suggest they’re still trying to find the right mix of talent and experience to put them back in playoff contention.
So, will these reclamation projects — Romano and Pomeranz — be the right investments to jump-start the Angels' struggling roster? Or are teams still overly optimistic about players bouncing back after tough seasons? The debate continues. What do you think—is signing pitchers with rough recent histories a smart strategy, or is it a gamble too risky when building a championship-caliber team? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation!
