The Los Angeles Angels have fortified their bullpen by signing two former All-Stars.
The Angels have agreed to terms on a one-year, $2 million contract with right-hander Jordan Romano and a one-year, $4 million deal with left-hander Drew Pomeranz.
Romano, 32, is a two-time All-Star but luck hasn’t gone his way over the last two seasons. In 2024 with the Toronto Blue Jays, he pitched in 15 games and posted a 1-2 record with a 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 13.2 innings. He dealt with right elbow inflammation for much of the second half and elected free agency following the season.
Romano signed with the Philadelphia Phillies early in the offseason looking to bounce back. Unfortunately for Romano, his performance declined more as he finished the season with an 8.23 ERA in 49 games.
He is the second former Blue Jay that the Angels are taking a chance on, as the team announced the signing of former All-Star right-hander Alek Manoah Dec. 2.
Romano was lights-out for Toronto from 2020 to 2023 and was one of the league’s top closers. The stuff is still there, but there are injury concerns.
Pomeranz, 37, revived his career with the Chicago Cubs in 2025 after not pitching in Major League Baseball since 2021. The 2018 World Series champion had a scoreless streak that surpassed 20 innings to open his Cubs stint and he anchored the bullpen as a go-to lefty option for manager Craig Counsell.
Pomeranz had a 2.17 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 57 appearances as a Cub and was used as an opener four times in Chicago. He struck out 57 batters and walked just 15 across 49.2 innings.
It’s been a long time since Pomeranz missed barrels like he did in 2025, but he looks revitalized and is a solid low-risk, high-reward signing for an Angels team that’s desperate for quality pitching.
The big lefty won’t blow you away with his fastball, but he was highly effective by throwing the heater at the top of the zone and having his knuckle-curve play off of it.
Los Angeles still has a lot to do to fix a pitching staff that ranked at the bottom of the league in most statistics, but they are taking fliers on players who have shown they can perform well in this league.
Expect the Angels to continue pursuing players like this, but don’t be surprised if they make a bigger move regarding pitching.