Closer Jordan Romano and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, sources told ESPN, bolstering a bullpen that served as a strength during the regular season but collapsed in the playoffs.

Romano, 31, was undrafted by the Toronto Blue Jays after an injury-filled year that ended with arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow. Over the previous four seasons, Romano was one of the best relief pitchers in baseball, posting a 2.29 ERA in 200⅔ innings with 251 strikeouts and 75 walks. The deal is still pending.

Instead of entering arbitration with Romano — where his salary would likely remain at about the $7.75 million he earned this year after posting a 6.59 ERA in 13⅔ innings — or trading him, Toronto’s led Refusal to offer Romano a contract upon his free agency.

Philadelphia quickly pounced, trying to replace All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman and right-hander Carlos Estevez, who hit free agency. Romano will join a bullpen that returns All-Star Matt Strahm, right-hander Orion Kerkering and hard-throwing lefties Jose Alvarado and Gregory Soto.

After winning the National League East with a 95-67 record, the Phillies fell in their first playoff series to the New York Mets, who finished six games behind them in the division. The Phillies blew the lead in the sixth inning or later in three of the four games in the series. Philadelphia entered the winter looking to reshape its roster, and while no trade was made, the Phillies saw Romano as a great opportunity to improve.

While his health will determine his effectiveness — “We have no medical concerns” regarding Romano, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said last week — the two-time All-Star combines a fastball with a velocity of 95 to 97 mph hour with a flourish. and he throws miss sliders about half the time. If this level occurs in spring training, Romano could have a chance to make saves as coach Rob Thomson uses eight different substitutes to close out games this season.

Over his six-year career, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Romano has saved 105 games with 285 strikeouts and 88 walks in 229⅔ innings. From 2021 to 2023, Romano had the most baseball-reference wins above replacement of any reliever in baseball with 7.4, more than a WAR ahead of second-place Devin Williams.