Cardinals Reportedly Pursuing Lefty JoJo Romero

The club is considering a reunion because Romero’s strong 2026 regular season and World Series bullpen work could shore up weak late‑inning lefty depth behind closer Riley O’Brien.

Overview

Multiple outlets reported on Monday that the St. Louis Cardinals have expressed interest in re-signing JoJo Romero now that he is a free agent.
Romero posted a 3.36 ERA in the 2026 regular season between St. Louis and Milwaukee and was especially effective in the playoffs, allowing one earned run over eight innings in seven appearances.
The Cardinals enter 2027 with limited proven setup options behind closer Riley O’Brien, creating a clear roster need for a reliable left‑handed high‑leverage reliever.
MLB Trade Rumors lists Romero among its top 50 free agents and projects a likely market outcome near a two‑year, $13 million contract, signaling he should draw multiple suitors.
Romero was traded to Milwaukee at the 2026 deadline with Dustin May in exchange for outfield prospects Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale, a deal that both added young talent to St. Louis and freed Romero to help Milwaukee win the World Series.