MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Talking Deal For Cardinals' 2.07 ERA Pitcher

December 15, 2025 ,
St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher JoJo Romero pitches during 2025 game.

The New York Yankees are  are scanning the market for affordable bullpen upgrades. 

One name gaining traction is St. Louis Cardinals left-hander JoJo Romero, with reporting indicating the Yankees are among the teams who have checked in.

Yankees bullpen needs make JoJo Romero a clean fit

Romero checks a lot of Yankee boxes on paper. He is a lefty, he is projected for a modest arbitration salary in 2026, and he has been a steady leverage option for the Cardinals over the last three seasons. 

With New York losing relief depth in free agency and still sorting out late-inning structure, adding another proven left-handed arm would give the bullpen more matchup flexibility and reduce the need to overextend swingmen.

Romero just wrapped up a career year, posting a 2.07 ERA over 61 innings, 24 holds, eight saves and a heavy ground-ball profile that plays in any park. 

Cardinals trade logic and what could decide a deal

From the Cardinals’ side, Romero is exactly the type of player rebuilding teams consider shopping. He's  productive, relatively inexpensive, and nearing the end of team control. 

Trading him in the winter can bring a stronger return than waiting for July, and it avoids the risk of an in-season injury tanking value. 

The catch is that St. Louis also needs competent relief innings in 2026, so if the market does not produce an offer that clearly upgrades their long-term outlook, the Cardinals can justify holding Romero and revisiting talks once the season starts. 

Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images 

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