If you spent any time watching the Los Angeles Angels’ bullpen operate in 2025, you probably experienced a specific kind of heartburn. General Manager Perry Minasian clearly watched the same games we did. The Halos officially inked right-hander Jordan Romano and lefty Drew Pomeranz to one-year deals on Tuesday. It’s a move that feels equal parts desperate and brilliant.
Can Jordan Romano Bring the Heat Back To Anaheim?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the former All-Star in the bullpen. Romano is the headline here, mostly because of how high his highs were and how low his recent lows have been. He was electric for the Blue Jays, racking up 72 saves between 2022 and 2023.
But the last two years? Yikes. After moving to the Phillies, Romano posted an ERA that looked more like a decent bowling score than a pitching stat line—8.23 in 2025. That is not a typo. Between elbow inflammation and mechanical breakdowns, he looked lost.
So, why are the Angels handing him $2 million? Because arm talent doesn’t just disappear. If Romano can find even 80% of his Toronto form, that contract is a steal. It is a low-risk gamble. If he flops, it’s a minor dent in the payroll. If he figures it out, the Angels have a legitimate closer for pennies on the dollar.
Drew Pomeranz and the Art Of the Career Renaissance
On the flip side of the coin, we have Pomeranz. He basically vanished from the mound from 2022 to 2024 due to a laundry list of injuries. Then came 2025 with the Cubs. At age 37, Pomeranz didn’t just show up; he dominated. He threw nearly 50 innings with a sparkling 2.17 ERA, striking out 57 batters while walking just 15. He was lights out against lefties, holding them to a .176 batting average.
Getting him on a one-year, $4 million deal is smart business. He is not going to blow a fastball by you at 99 mph anymore, but the guy knows how to pitch. He is the wily veteran presence this young, shell-shocked Angels staff desperately needs.
The Angels’ Bullpen Strategy: High Risk Or High Reward?
There is a clear pattern emerging in Anaheim this winter. Between signing former ace Alek Manoah and now adding Romano and Pomeranz, the front office is building an “Island of Misfit Toys.”
It is easy to be skeptical. Reliance on reclamation projects is usually a recipe for a long, frustrating summer. But for a team that has holes all over the roster, specifically center field and the hot corner, spending heavily on volatile relievers isn’t an option.
Minasian is betting that health and a change of scenery can turn these veterans back into stars. It is a gamble, but after the bullpen disasters of 2025, at least it’s a gamble with a potentially high payout. If Romano finds his slider and Pomeranz defies “Father Time” for one more year, things might actually get interesting in Anaheim.
