Former Blue Jays closer Romano joining Phillies on 1-year deal: reports

The Philadelphia Phillies and two-time all-star Jordan Romano are in agreement on a one-year deal worth $7.75 million US, ESPN and The Athletic reported Monday.

The 31-year-old right-hander was non-tendered by Toronto earlier this off-season. The Phillies bolster their bullpen after Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez hit free agency.

Romano went 1-2 with a 6.59 earned-run avearge in 15 relief appearances with the Blue Jays this past season. Romano battled injuries last season and underwent season-ending right elbow surgery in July.

He saved 36 games in 2022 and 2023, earning all-star nods in each season. Overall, Romano is 20-17 in 231 career relief appearances with 105 saves and a 2.90 ERA.

Hard-throwing Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki was posted to Major League Baseball teams and will be available to sign as a free agent from Tuesday through 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 23.

The Chiba Lotte Marines said Nov. 9 they planned to make the 23-year-old Sasaki available but waited until less than a week before the end of the posting period.

Because he is 23, Sasaki is considered an international amateur by MLB and is limited to a minor league contract subject to the international signing bonus pools usually allocated for 16-year-old Latin American prospects. The 2024 signing period ends Sunday and the 2025 period opens on Jan. 15, with team pools ranging from $7,555,500 to $5,146,200 US.

Teams may trade for additional pool allotment in $250,000 increments starting Jan. 15 but are limited to adding 60% of their initial amount.

Chiba will receive a posting fee from the acquiring MLB team equal to 25 per cent of the signing bonus.

When Shohei Ohtani agreed to join the Los Angeles Angels in December 2016 at age 23, he received a $2,315,000