The New York Yankees have been connected to yet another trade for a pitcher.
The New York Yankees have been floated in trade speculation involving pitchers all winter, although the only impactful name they actually acquired was Ryan Weathers.
Yes, the Yankees also landed Angel Chivilli in a deal with the Colorado Rockies, but the jury is out on the 23-year-old reliever with the lifetime 6.18 ERA.
New York engaged in discussions for both Freddy Peralta and MacKenzie Gore, but it failed to land either starter. It also discussed Edward Cabrera with the Miami Marlins, but his injury history was a concern.
With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon both due back at some point in the first half of 2026, the Yankees' starting rotation is actually probably set as is, but they could still stand to add another bullpen arm after losing both Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to free agency.
Could St. Louis Cardinals left-hander JoJo Romero be the answer?
Romero was mentioned as a possibility for New York earlier this offseason, and now, Ryan Garcia of Empire Sports Media has revisited the potential move.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher JoJo Romero. Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images."Since 2023, Romero has a 2.93 ERA, 3.40 FIP, and a 3.68 xFIP as he’s been a firmly above-average bullpen arm who can get lefties and righties out due to his sinker-slider-changeup mix," Garcia wrote. "It wouldn’t be the flashy addition that gives you a super bullpen, but it adds a legit weapon that Aaron Boone can use in the eighth inning of a close game to get the ball to David Bednar."
The problem is that Romero displayed some clear red flags in 2025.
He made 65 appearances out of the Cardinals' bullpen, and during that time, he logged a 2.07 ERA. That's terrific. But the underlying metrics were concerning.
Romero posted a meager 1.90 K/BB ratio last season, thanks much in part to a 4.3 BB/9. He also isn't much of a strikeout pitcher to begin with, which is never what you want from a reliever.
Plus, back in 2024, Romero registered a 4.27 FIP alongside of his 3.36 ERA, so there is reason to believe that the 29-year-old is a disaster waiting to happen.
If the Yankees can get Romero on the cheap, then sure. He has just one year of club control remaining, after all, so perhaps St. Louis would be willing to part with him for a low-level prospect.
But if the Cardinals ask for a fairly significant return in exchange for Romero? Then New York should just try and find a less risky option.
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