The Jays non-tendered Romano just a few weeks ago, but they apparently do have a desire to bring him back at a lower number.
Nonetheless, Atkins noted that the club remains “interested in him and will be heavily pursuing his return, and hope that that’s a potential reality.”
Romano is coming off a disappointing 2024 season that saw him miss most of the season with an elbow injury that eventually required season-ending surgery. When asked about Romano’s health, Atkins indicated he had no concerns. “I feel like he will be back physically,” Atkins said.
The 31-year-old righty made his debut with the Blue Jays back in 2019 and as a Canada native, he’s always been someone that fans could root for. Lifetime, Romano is 20-17 with a 2.90 ERA. He saved 105 games for Toronto and made two All-Star teams. He also was a part of playoff teams in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
Despite all the success, Romano struggled in 2024. As stated, he battled injury all year and only appeared in 15 games. He had a 6.59 and those two factors surely contributed to the Jays decision to non-tender him.
The Blue Jays really struggled in the bullpen as a whole a season ago, finishing 29th in bullpen ERA. Getting a healthy version of Romano could go a long way toward fixing that and they’ve also been connected to other top arms on the bullpen front.
Upcoming Season Crucial For Restoring Toronto Blue Jays’ Credibility
Since they won the World Series in 1993, the Toronto Blue Jays have appeared in Major League Baseball’s playoffs only five times.
For a team that has always fielded rosters with consequential MLB players, the team’s postseason track record is unimpressive.
The Blue Jays failed to make the playoffs last season, when they went 74-88, finishing in last place in the American League East.
The Blue Jays were 20 games behind the division champion New York Yankees.
Given the Blue Jays current roster, it will be very difficult to make up 20 games in the standings.
As the offseason continues, the Blue Jays have not made and moves to bolster their roster.
In fact, they lost left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi in free agency, to the Los Angeles Angels.
fangraphs.com lists the potential Toronto starting lineup to be:
George Springer-RF
Daulton Varsho-CF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr-1B
Spencer Horwitz-DH
Bo Bichette-SS
Alejandro Kirk-
Will Wagner-2B
Ernie Clement-3B
Nathan Lukes-LF
fangragphs.com lists the Blue Jays all right-handed starting rotation as:
Kevin Gausman
Jose Berrios
Bowden Francis
Chris Bassitt
Yariel Rodriguez
None of the players above will reach free agency following the 2025 season.
However, Bassitt, Bichette, and Guerrero Jr. wil be eligible for free agency after the 2026 World Series, giving Toronto one more season of control over those three important players.
The Bo Bichette Dilemma:
What do the Blue Jays do with Bo Bichette?
Bichette will turn 27 in March.
The right-handed hitting Bichette is coming off a season of injury and very mediocre performance.
An All Star in 2021, and 2023, Bichette has played all six years of his big league career with the Blue Jays.
Bichette has a fine .290 career batting average in 2,664 plate appearances, covering 609 games.
Bichette missed more than eight weeks last season with a nagging calf injury. He then went back on the Injured List with a broken right finger.
The Blue Jays must determine if Bichette is their shortstop of the future, or if they make him available in trade?
Was his poor performance due to injuries, or has he slipped badly in the offensive part of his game?
Bichette had the following offensive line in 2024: .225/.277/.322/.598, with 16 doubles, four homers, 31 RBIs.
By every measure, Bichette’s season was one to forget.
Problems surface when discussing Bo Bichette and the Blue Jays:
First and foremost, following a season of injuries and poor performance, what is Bichette’s trade value?
If they keep Bichette to start the year, what will he cost if he reaches free agency?
Future Cost of Vlad Guerrero Jr.:
Like Bichette, Guerrero Jr. won’t reach free agency until following the 2026 season.
Unlike Bichette, Guerrero Jr. continues to be a top MLB performer.
Last year, despite minor slumps along the way, Guerrero Jr. hit .323/.396/.544/.940, with 44 doubles, one triple, 30 home runs, and 103 RBIs in 697 plate appearances.
Guerrero Jr. played 159 games, staying healthy, and anchoring a lineup that would have been much worse without his presence.
In essence, it is astounding that Guerrero Jr. performed as well as he did, with so little protection and production surrounding him in the batting order.
While Guerrero Jr. might not be as dangerous as Aaron Judge, or Juan Soto, Guerrero Jr. takes the ball to all parts of the field, and has enough pure power to hit the ball out of any park, against any pitcher.
It is remarkable that Guerrero is only 25-years-old, and he hasn’t hit his prime baseball production years.
What might Guerrero Jr. fetch on the free agent market after the 2026 season?
It seems unlikely Guerrero Jr. would sign a contract extension prior to reaching free agency.
Questions Remain:
How do the Blue Jays improve if they don’t trade Bichette or Guerrero Jr.?
Perhaps the Blue Jays trade starter Chris Bassitt.
Bassitt is a credible starter, with a solid history of quality outings.
Bassitt was, however, inconsistent last season.
Bassitt finished with a record of 10-14, with a 4.16 ERA, and 4.08 WHIP.
Bassitt did not have the quality season he enjoyed in 2023, when went 16-8 record for Toronto.
Pitching is at a premium in MLB.
Can Toronto afford to lose another starter?
Maybe if they receive a good return in a trade.
Bassitt is an attractive right-handed trade chip. But he is also 35-years-old, with negative 2024 trends.
Or, might the Blue Jays look to trade a starter like Kevin Gausman or Jose Berrios?
Any player from among Bassitt, Berrios, or Gausman could fetch help for a Blue Jays offense that needs a severe jolt.
It is now time for the Blue Jays to become relevant again in MLB.
That should begin with an aggressive offseason.
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