ANAHEIM -- The Angels made two veteran additions to their bullpen, agreeing to terms with left-hander Drew Pomeranz and righty Jordan Romano on one-year deals on Tuesday. Pomeranz will earn $4 million, while Romano will earn $2 million.
They represent the first two relievers signed by the Angels this offseason, although right-hander Alek Manoah was signed to one-year deal worth $1.95 million and could be used as a reliever if he doesn’t make the rotation out of Spring Training. The Angels also saw closer Kenley Jansen, who went 29-for-30 in save chances with a 2.59 ERA with the club last season, sign with the Tigers on Saturday.
Pomeranz, 37, is coming off a strong year with the Cubs, posting a 2.17 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 15 walks in 49 2/3 innings. It was his first year in the Majors since 2021 after a spate of injuries. Pomeranz also is rejoining the organization after signing a Minor League deal with the club in ’24 before being released at the end of Spring Training.
Pomeranz gives the Angels a much-needed lefty reliever, and he has a career 3.82 ERA with 940 strikeouts in 908 innings of parts of 12 seasons with the Red Sox, Padres, Rockies, Athletics, Cubs, Brewers and Giants. He was a National League All-Star with San Diego in 2016, and he won a World Series ring with Boston in ’18.
Romano is coming off a tough season with the Phillies, posting an 8.23 ERA with 47 strikeouts, 17 walks and 10 homers allowed in 42 2/3 innings. He also struggled in 2024, with a 6.59 ERA in 13 2/3 frames with the Blue Jays while missing most of the season with right elbow inflammation.
But the 32-year-old had a 2.67 ERA with 272 strikeouts in 216 innings with Toronto from 2019-23, and he was an American League All-Star in both '22 and '23, so he represents a bounceback candidate.
The Angels don’t have a set closer after losing Jansen to free agency, but general manager Perry Minasian said at the Winter Meetings that he believes both Ben Joyce and Robert Stephenson are capable of closing if the team doesn’t acquire a veteran closer this offseason. Joyce is coming off right shoulder surgery and could miss the start of the season, while Stephenson dealt with right elbow inflammation late in the year but is on track to be ready for Spring Training.