The St. Louis Cardinals have had an active and largely successful offseason, but speculation continues over the future of JoJo Romero. Questions remain regarding whether he will be traded, which team might acquire him, and the timing of any potential deal.
Pitchers and catchers are set to report to Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida, in just a few days, yet trade discussions around Romero are reportedly ongoing. While no deals appear imminent, a trade involving Romero remains a possibility. MLB Trade Rumors reported on February 6 that nearly 66% of their audience believe the Cardinals could make another trade before Opening Day, reflecting widespread anticipation among fans.
The teams most frequently linked to Romero include the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, and Baltimore Orioles. Speculative interest has also been noted from the Toronto Blue Jays, although it is unclear how serious those discussions are. Some observers had expected Romero to be part of a trade involving Brendan Donovan to the Mariners, but that deal did not materialize, suggesting that Cardinals management, led by Chaim Bloom, may be considering a different strategy or timeline.
One possibility is that the Cardinals could position Romero as a closer to maximize his trade value later in the season, potentially targeting the trade deadline when demand for bullpen arms is higher. This strategy could involve a “closer by committee” approach, with Romero sharing the role with Riley O’Brien, allowing him to gain experience in high-leverage situations while enhancing his appeal to prospective buyers.
Ultimately, the question remains whether the Cardinals will move Romero before Opening Day or hold him for a larger deal midseason. Fans and analysts are closely watching how the team plans to leverage his skills, either as an immediate trade asset or as a strategic piece to be developed further. The coming weeks will likely provide clarity on the Cardinals’ intentions and Romero’s role for the 2026 season.
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