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Phillies Predicted to Target 2.06 ERA Reliever to Replace Jordan Romano

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 12:15 PM ET

There is one major issue for the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen, and it's been Jordan Romano. While Jose Alvarado was suspended for 80 games, and a lot of the lower-leverage arms haven't been good, the poor play from Romano has stung the most.

In the market for more reliever help, Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report predicted that the Phillies could target Colorado Rockies reliever Jake Bird to resolve their back-end of the bullpen problems.

While Romano has been unsteady all year, the Rockies have seen Bird blossom into a top-end reliever. In his 33 games in 2025, Bird has pitched 43.2 innings. He's become a multi-inning reliever, something that the Phillies would greatly benefit from amid their shaky bullpen.

Bird, in his 2025 season, has been imposing. He has a 2.06 ERA, a 2-1 record, and 2.1 WAR on the season, more than double his previous three years combined.

He's struck out 56 batters while walking just 16. He's allowed ten earned runs and two home runs so far this season. His WHIP of 1.191 is also excellent, and his FIP of 2.34 proves his pitching has been as good as it's been.

For the Phillies, Bird would be a perfect reliever to target at the trade deadline. The Rockies are the worst team in baseball and would be open to dealing away someone like Bird for some prospects.

With Bird under team control through the 2028 season, the Phillies wouldn't be getting just a one-year rental like they did in 2024 with Carlos Estevez. Instead, they'd add a cheap, controllable reliever who's shown to be one of the top bullpen arms in 2025.

Romano has a 6.51 ERA and a 0-3 record on the year. Bird has a third of his ERA, and has been significantly better for the Rockies, in a ballpark where hitters thrive. He isn't as big of a name as Félix Bautista or Emmanuel Clase, but his production out of the bullpen is equal to that of those two All-Stars.

The Phillies need the bullpen, and adding a player like Bird makes a ton of sense. While he may not be a flashy addition, it'd be a perfect one for Rob Thomson, who likes to use his bullpen in a variety of ways.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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