The Phillies may have found their answer to last season’s late-game struggles with the signing of former All-Star closer Jordan Romano. The 31-year-old right-hander inked a one-year, $8.5 million deal after being non-tendered by the Blue Jays, who let him walk due to injury concerns. But with Romano already throwing in the mid-90s and boasting a dominant track record, there’s a compelling case to take a flier on him at +4000 to lead the MLB in saves.
From 2021 to 2023, Romano was one of the most reliable ninth-inning arms in baseball, saving 95 games with a 2.37 ERA and earning two AL All-Star nods. His 7.4 WAR sneakily led all relievers in that span, per Baseball Reference, highlighting his dominance in high-leverage situations.
The Phillies finished 95-67 last season, winning the NL East before collapsing in the playoffs due in part to bullpen issues. They blew three late-inning leads in their series loss to the Mets, exposing their need for a lockdown closer. While Philadelphia hasn’t officially named Romano the closer, their bullpen mix—featuring Orion Kerkering, José Ruiz, Matt Strahm, José Alvarado, and Tanner Banks—lacks another clear-cut ninth-inning option.
Philadelphia is expected to be a contender again, meaning plenty of save chances throughout the season. While bullpen roles can evolve, Romano’s track record and ability to handle high-pressure situations make him a prime candidate to take over the role full-time. If he does, getting him at +4000 to lead MLB in saves (2.44% implied probability) could prove to be an absolute steal.
Betting on a saves leader requires the perfect mix of talent, opportunity, and team success. Romano checks all three boxes—he’s an elite closer when healthy, the Phillies will win plenty of games, and their bullpen doesn’t have a locked-in alternative. At +4000 odds, he’s more than worth a sprinkle as a long-shot bet to finish atop the MLB saves leaderboard.
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