TORONTO — In a pivotal decision, the Toronto Blue Jays opted to part ways with longtime closer Jordan Romano on Friday night as he continues his recovery from elbow surgery, rather than committing to him for the upcoming season.

The Blue Jays also non-tendered reliever Dillon Tate, while avoiding arbitration with Erik Swanson, who signed a one-year, $3 million deal, and tendering contracts to all their other eligible players.

The decision to move on from Romano, a 31-year-old from Markham, Ont., is the most notable. It appears financially motivated, with MLB Trade Rumors projecting Romano to earn $7.75 million in 2025, and after missing the second half of 2024 due to arthroscopic elbow surgery. While the move marks a quiet end to a significant chapter in Romano’s Blue Jays career, it’s possible he still has more successful seasons ahead.

While it’s still technically possible for Jordan Romano to re-sign with Toronto, the front office has already had discussions with his representatives about a potential 2025 deal, and it’s clear the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement. As a result, many in the industry expect Romano to sign elsewhere, marking his departure from the Blue Jays for the first time since his brief stint with the Rangers as a Rule 5 Draft pick in 2019.

The decision to non-tender Romano and Dillon Tate, who was projected to earn $1.9 million in 2025, saves the Blue Jays nearly $10 million in projected payroll while freeing up two spots on the 40-man roster. GM Ross Atkins will need to use this financial flexibility to address multiple areas of need, including the offense, starting rotation, and bullpen.

With these moves, the Blue Jays’ need for bullpen help is even more urgent. The bullpen that finished 2024 ranked last in MLB in wins above replacement and second-to-last in ERA has already lost left-hander Genesis Cabrera, along with Romano and Tate.

As it stands, Toronto’s bullpen includes Erik Swanson, Chad Green, Ryan Burr, Brendon Little, and Zach Pop, along with a collection of unproven options. It’s far from sufficient for a team with postseason aspirations, meaning Atkins will need to bolster the bullpen before Opening Day.

However, the immediate priority appears to be improving the starting rotation. The rationale is that adding a solid starter would allow the Blue Jays to move Yariel Rodriguez to the bullpen, improving the overall pitching depth. While the pursuit of a frontline arm like Max Fried seems plausible, some observers believe it’s more likely the team will target a starting pitcher rather than committing to a long-term deal for a reliever like Tanner Scott or Jeff Hoffman.

One way or another, the Blue Jays’ pitching staff needs significant reinforcements. While it may appear thin on paper right now, injuries will undoubtedly test its depth over the course of the season. As it stands, Toronto lacks both the quality and depth of pitching required to make a deep postseason run. Like most teams, the Blue Jays have plenty of work ahead of them this offseason.

Of all the recent departures, the loss of Jordan Romano is by far the most impactful. Over the past decade, Romano transformed from an unheralded starting pitching prospect into an All-Star closer. A 10th-round pick in 2014, he was a promising but not elite minor-league arm, never ranked among the top prospects.

Romano made his MLB debut in 2019, and by 2021, he had solidified his role as the Blue Jays’ primary closer. From 2021 to 2023, he averaged 32 saves, 62 innings, and 77 strikeouts per season with a 2.37 ERA — an impressive stretch that saw him rise to third on the franchise’s all-time saves list with 105.

However, injuries derailed his 2024 season. After elbow issues forced him to start the year on the injured list, he eventually underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery, ending his season prematurely. Romano was slated for a bullpen session in front of team officials this month to assess his recovery, but instead, he was non-tendered.

Now, it’s up to Romano to prove the Blue Jays wrong and demonstrate that he can still be a dominant closer in 2025. As for Toronto, the focus now shifts to rebuilding a pitching staff that has become dangerously thin. The work to strengthen the rotation and bullpen is just beginning.