Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Romano: Underrated Signings
December 19, 2025 - Written by AJ Stone
The Angels are signing pitchers Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz to 1-year deals, per multiple reports. pic.twitter.com/40y5eHq1Pc
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 17, 2025
The Angels recently made another addition to their current cohort with the signing of veteran left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz and right-handed reliever Jordan Romano, both to one-year deals, respectively. Los Angeles has done a nice job mitigating the market and making subtle additions to their team that won’t necessarily weigh them down payroll-wise.
Pomeranz is coming off a stellar season on the north side of Chicago in which he posted a 2.17 earned run average in 49.2 innings of work. His underlying metrics uphold his success. Baseball Savant had Pomeranz ranking in the 80th percentile or better in fastball run value, expected batting average against, and strikeout percentage. He racked up all of these numbers while also pitching to the tune of a 3.48 xERA (expected earned run average). This hints at possible regression for the veteran lefty, but not to the point where he’ll be unproductive. If used under the right connotations and put in a situation to succeed, Pomeranz should provide a steady presence in the Angels' bullpen for the 2026 season.
Romano is in a completely different tax bracket than Pomeranz at this point in his career. Although he had success in the past, an ERA of 8.23 in 2025 was nothing short of ghastly. However, 2025 shouldn’t entirely define what’s so far been a solid career for the veteran righty. Romano continues to excel in extension and fastball velocity. These two metrics together can create a deadly weapon out of any bullpen capable of racking up consistent strikeouts. Newly acquired pitching coach Mike Maddux has quite the reputation that precedes him, and if he can get Romano to locate slightly better and maybe create a better shape on his slider that blends in with his fastball, the right-hander should be a weapon in a suddenly crowded Angels’ bullpen.
Deals that fall in line with the signings of Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz are very indicative of where the Angels are as an organization. Taking flyers on older players who might still have it and former All-Stars who are currently struggling is a great way to maximize potential and capitalize on low value. Romano and Pomeranz both have a great shot at aiding the Angels in the immediate moment, and if the team falls short in the 2026 season, they could be in high demand at the MLB trade deadline. Let’s all hope Los Angeles has a bit more in store for the rest of their offseason, but I, for one, can appreciate the direction they have taken to this point.
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