The Toronto Blue Jays were linked to St. Louis Cardinals‘ reliever Jojo Romero earlier this winter.
A lot has happened for the Blue Jays since then. Since that rumor circulated, the Blue Jays have signed Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers, and Kazuma Okamoto. Toronto has also lost out on Kyle Tucker to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Bo Bichette to the New York Mets. They have been linked to New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger. Recent reports indicate that a reunion with the Yankees is becoming increasingly unlikely.
Heavy.com has proposed a trade with the Cardinals that would see them add two key pieces.
Blue Jays Acquire:
- Jojo Romero RP
- Lars Nootbaar OF
Cardinals Acquire:
- Anthony Santander DH/OF
- Nathan Lukes OF
- Bowden Francis SP
- Johnny King SP (Prospect)
In this proposal, the Blue Jays would add both Romero and young outfielder Lars Nootbaar. In exchange, the Cardinals receive several bodies that can help their team now. Anthony Santander and Nathan Lukes can immediately play in the outfield, with Santander able to perform the designated hitter role. Despite a lacklustre 2025 season, some experts are expecting Santander to bounce back in a big way for 2026.
Bowden Francis can be added to their starting rotation or long relief to start. Johnny King is a southpaw arm who was primarily a starter in 2025.
How Jojo Romero & Lars Nootbaar Help the Blue Jays
While the Blue Jays could use some infield depth, it’s possible that they have that already with the recent depth addition of Raphael Luntigua. What they could certainly use is another lefty weapon in their bullpen and an upgrade in the outfield.
Nootbaar and Romer aren’t the most glamorous options, but they are more than worth exploring.
An Upgrade on Jeff Hoffman?
Romero has been deployed in a high-leverage role for years. In 2025, he recorded eight saves in nine opportunities in his last 24 games.
In the last two years, he has 54 holds and nine saves. That would be a huge addition to the Blue Jays’ bullpen. Especially when you look at the current bullpen options available to the Blue Jays.
In 2024 & 2025, Jeff Hoffman had 21 holds and 43 saves, Yimi Garcia had 19 holds and eight saves, Rogers had 64 holds and one save, Louis Varland had 22 holds, and Brendon Little had 37 holds and two saves.
Looking at Toronto’s bullpen, one thing is clear: only Hoffman and Rogers had more holds or saves than Romero over the last two years.
Looking more closely at Hoffman, in his two years before becoming Toronto’s closer, he recorded 31 holds and 11 saves.
Romero is clearly comfortable holding down a lead on the mound. Just like Hoffman made the jump to full-time closer last year, Romero should be a strong consideration this year. Especially if he is traded to the Blue Jays.
A Word About Lars Nootbaar
Nootbaar wasn’t the most prolific hitter in 2025. However, there is value in what he brings, given his performance last year.
According to Savant, he had the highest Chase rate and Hard Hit percentage on the Cardinals. He recorded 13 home runs, 48 RBIs, 119 hits, and 24 doubles to go along with four stolen bases.
Specifically with hits, only Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bichette, George Springer, Ernie Clement, and Alejandro Kirk had more hits in 2025 than Nootbaar.
There is definitely something here that award-winning hitting coach David Popkins can unlock.
Anthony Santander & Nathan Lukes Have Been Involved in Trade Speculation
As for giving up assets, the two main pieces of this proposal for the Cardinals are Santander and Lukes.
The Blue Jays would need to make room for Nootbaar, and swapping him in for these two makes the most sense. They have both been brought up as trade chips this offseason, and both could desperately help the Cardinals.
In the case of Santander, Ben Nicholson-Smith reported in December that his contract might not be as beneficial to the team as it once was thought.
“And speaking of potential trade candidates, Rodriguez wasn’t the only prominent player left off the World Series roster,” Nicholson-Smith wrote in December. “Because of injuries, José Berríos and Anthony Santander didn’t play either. Both players are fully capable of rebounding, but…the deals now favour the players, not the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays would presumably have to eat money or take on another hefty contract in any trade.”
“Their stance on Santander is less clear, the overall picture emerging is one where the Blue Jays are prioritizing the quality of next year’s roster over past production.”
Lukes, was floated as a trade chip should the Blue Jays land Tucker.
“Last year’s San Francisco right fielders weren’t very good,” Mike Petriello wrote for MLB.com in December. “And that currently is not projected to change. Potential fixes: Trade for Wilyer Abreu or Luis Robert Jr. or perhaps Nathan Lukes, if and when the Blue Jays add a star outfielder.”
Anthony Santander Tabbed For Bounce-Back Year
Popkins recently spoke on a podcast about Santander and shared some positive words.
“He’s got his own strength coach who helps him and works with him,” Popkins said on the January 18th episode of the Gate 14 Podcast. “The guy really knows how to be successful, I’m excited to see him come back and come back on a little vengeance tour and remind the league on who Anthony Santander is.”
Before his lacklustre season with the Blue Jays, he had a year to remember in 2024. In 155 games, he hit 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, 140 hits, and 25 doubles.
With the great fit Romero could provide for the Blue Jays and the promise of Nootbaar, this proposal can definitely work out for Toronto. The Cardinals get more than enough value in return, between Santander, Lukes, Francis, and King.
If the Blue Jays are interested in Romero, this could be the right deal that brings him onto their roster.
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