As the Toronto Blue Jays put the finishing touches on their roster ahead of Opening Day, one potential weakness continues to stand out: the lack of a proven left-handed reliever in the bullpen. While the club appears well-positioned in most areas, bullpen balance—particularly from the left side—remains an unresolved concern that could still be addressed before the regular season begins.
Toronto’s relief corps is currently constructed around a group of dependable right-handers who offer consistency and experience late in games. However, the absence of a reliable southpaw capable of neutralizing left-handed hitters in high-leverage situations could become an issue once the games begin to matter. In today’s game, bullpen flexibility is critical, and teams without trusted left-handed options often find themselves at a tactical disadvantage against deep, lefty-heavy lineups.
Across the league, teams with surplus relief pitching are closely monitored by contenders looking to fine-tune their rosters. The Milwaukee Brewers, for example, entered the week with a pair of left-handed bullpen candidates—Brendon Little and Erik Lauer—who could factor into trade conversations.
Little impressed during the regular season with effective outings before struggling during the postseason, while Lauer spent much of the year bouncing between roles as an emergency starter and a bullpen option. Though both pitchers present potential solutions, neither profile perfectly matches Toronto’s need for an experienced late-inning specialist.
MORE: Red Sox Trade $55 Million Starting Pitcher to Padres
While internal options always exist, particularly with young arms or swingmen capable of adapting to bullpen roles, relying solely on in-house solutions can be risky for a team with championship aspirations. The Blue Jays have already demonstrated a willingness to supplement their roster externally, and adding one more proven arm from outside the organization could offer stability and insurance as the season begins.
That possibility gained traction on Monday when Bleacher Report analyst Tim Kelly highlighted Toronto as a logical destination for a veteran left-handed reliever in a list of trades he deemed realistic before Opening Day. Among the scenarios Kelly outlined, one stood out as especially intriguing: the St. Louis Cardinals potentially dealing left-handed setup man JoJo Romero to the Blue Jays.
Kelly’s reasoning centered on bullpen construction and competitive context. Although Toronto boasts one of the deeper rosters in the American League and enters the season as the reigning AL champion, even elite teams often seek incremental improvements. According to Kelly, the Blue Jays’ bullpen—anchored by right-handers Jeff Hoffman, Louis Varland, Tyler Rogers, and Yimi García—could benefit significantly from the addition of a dependable left-handed option capable of handling late-inning assignments.
Romero fits that description almost perfectly. Over the past several seasons, he has established himself as one of the more reliable left-handed relievers in the National League. His ability to retire hitters from both sides of the plate, combined with his composure in high-pressure situations, has made him a trusted option in the Cardinals’ bullpen hierarchy.
The trade scenario also makes sense from St. Louis’ perspective. The Cardinals are navigating a period of organizational transition under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. In his first offseason in charge, Bloom has already demonstrated a willingness to reshape the roster aggressively, prioritizing long-term flexibility and organizational depth over short-term continuity.
MORE: Giants trade for $56M former Cy Young winner in risky move
That approach has been evident in several notable moves already completed. St. Louis has parted ways with established contributors such as Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Brendan Donovan, signaling a clear shift toward a retooling—or outright rebuilding—phase. Given that context, it would not be surprising if Bloom continued to explore the market for additional veterans whose value could be maximized via trade.
Romero’s situation aligns closely with that philosophy. At 29 years old and approaching free agency at the end of the season, he represents a classic trade chip for a club looking to extract future value rather than risk losing a player for nothing. While Romero remains highly effective and valuable in the short term, the Cardinals must weigh whether holding onto him through the season aligns with their broader competitive timeline.
Performance-wise, Romero has little left to prove. Last season, he was among the most dominant relievers in the Cardinals’ bullpen, posting a sparkling 2.07 ERA across 65 appearances. His consistency over a heavy workload underscored his durability, while his ability to miss bats and induce weak contact made him a reliable option in tight games.
Looking beyond a single season, Romero’s track record remains impressive. Since arriving in St. Louis four years ago, he has logged 171 innings with an even 3.00 ERA, a mark that reflects sustained effectiveness rather than a one-year anomaly. In a bullpen role often defined by volatility, Romero has provided steady production year after year, making him an appealing target for teams seeking reliability.
From Toronto’s standpoint, acquiring Romero would not just address a positional need—it would also offer postseason value. Playoff baseball often hinges on matchups, and having a trusted left-hander who can be deployed strategically against elite opposing hitters can tilt close games in a team’s favor. Toronto’s recent success has been built on depth and versatility, and adding Romero would further enhance that formula.
MORE: Padres officially grab another intriguing attention in latest move
The remaining questions revolve around timing and cost. Because Romero is set to become a free agent after the season, the Cardinals face a strategic decision. They could choose to move him sooner rather than later, capitalizing on early-season demand from contenders eager to finalize their bullpens. Alternatively, St. Louis could wait until the trade deadline, when bullpen arms often command higher returns due to heightened urgency among playoff hopefuls.
For Toronto, the calculus is equally complex. Acting early could allow the Blue Jays to secure Romero before the market becomes crowded, potentially at a lower acquisition cost. However, committing assets now also carries risk, particularly if internal options emerge or if injuries elsewhere create unforeseen needs.
Kelly’s inclusion of the Blue Jays as a potential suitor suggests that Toronto is viewed league-wide as a team willing to make proactive moves. Their recent history supports that perception, as the front office has consistently looked for opportunities to strengthen the roster on the margins rather than waiting for problems to surface.
Ultimately, the idea of a Romero-to-Toronto trade represents the kind of pragmatic, low-drama transaction that often defines successful contenders. It would not generate headlines in the same way as a blockbuster deal, but it could have an outsized impact over the course of a long season.
MORE: Three Phillies with the Most at Stake in Spring Training After Lackluster Offseason
Whether the Cardinals choose to act now or wait, and whether Toronto emerges as the most aggressive bidder, remains to be seen. What is clear is that Romero’s profile fits neatly into the needs of a team aiming to defend its title, and his availability places him firmly on the radar as Opening Day approaches.
As the final days of spring training unfold, the Blue Jays’ front office will continue weighing its options. If left-handed bullpen help remains the lone unfinished item on the checklist, a move for a proven arm like JoJo Romero could provide the finishing touch to a roster built for another deep October run.
Be the first to comment