JoJo Romero Trade Talks: Why the Cardinals Are Better Off Waiting
Spring training is just getting underway in Jupiter, Florida, and while the St. Louis Cardinals’ facility is still under construction, the roster shuffle hasn’t stopped.
Chaim Bloom continues to put his fingerprints on this rebuild, and his latest move – flipping reliever Andre Granillo to the Nationals for George Soriano – raised some eyebrows. But the real intrigue lies with a different arm in the bullpen: JoJo Romero.
Romero has been on the trade radar for months now, and for good reason. He’s a lefty with a track record, a contract that expires after this season, and the kind of recent production that makes contending teams take notice. But as spring ramps up, the question isn’t just if the Cardinals should trade Romero – it’s when.
Romero’s Value Is Real – But Timing Is Everything
Let’s start with what makes Romero such an attractive trade chip. In 2025, he posted a sparkling 2.07 ERA across 65 appearances.
That’s elite territory for any reliever, and even more so for a lefty who can neutralize left-handed bats. In a league that increasingly values bullpen depth and matchup flexibility, Romero checks a lot of boxes.
He’s not just a specialist, either. Romero held his own against both sides of the plate, and his ability to induce ground balls (a whopping 57.1% groundball rate last season) makes him a reliable option in high-leverage spots.
He doesn’t overpower hitters – his strikeout rate sat at 21.6% in 2025 – but he knows how to miss barrels and limit damage. That’s the kind of profile that can stabilize a bullpen or push a contender over the top.
But here’s the catch: reliever trades are tricky, especially this early in the year. Most teams aren’t ready to part with meaningful prospect capital in February – not for a reliever, no matter how effective.
Front offices want to see how their internal options shake out first. They’ll monitor spring training, maybe take a flyer on a veteran free agent, and reassess the bullpen picture by midseason.
The Risk of Waiting – and the Potential Reward
In a perfect world, the Cardinals would find a trade partner now, get a solid return, and avoid the risk that Romero’s value dips. Relievers are notoriously volatile, and Romero isn’t immune to that.
His walk rate last season was a concerning 11.4%, and while he limited hard contact, he doesn’t generate a ton of chases outside the zone. His xERA (3.49) and FIP (3.28) suggest he outperformed his underlying metrics.
That’s not a red flag, but it is a reason for cautious optimism rather than blind confidence.
So yes, there’s a chance Romero regresses. There’s always a chance he gets hurt – it’s the nature of the position.
But there’s also a chance he comes out in 2026 looking like the same guy who carved up hitters last year. And if that happens, his trade value spikes.
Just look at what happened with Ryan Helsley. His numbers took a step back last season after a dominant 2024, but the Cardinals still managed to get a solid return from the Mets. Romero could follow a similar path – or better, if he stays on track.
Come July, contenders won’t have the luxury of patience. If their bullpen is leaking runs and Romero is dealing, the bidding war could heat up fast.
That’s the sweet spot for the Cardinals. That’s when teams are willing to overpay for that one arm that might make the difference in October.
What’s the Move Now?
Unless another club comes in over the top with an offer that clearly moves the needle, the Cardinals are better off holding Romero for now. There’s no rush to sell low on a reliever who could be one of the most sought-after arms at the deadline.
The worst-case scenario is losing out on a decent prospect today. The best case?
A strong first half from Romero nets St. Louis a package that adds real value to the rebuild.
This isn’t about playing it safe – it’s about playing it smart. The market for relievers is fluid, and timing is everything.
Right now, the Cardinals hold a valuable card. They just need to wait for the right moment to play it.
