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2026 Fantasy Baseball Player Profile

JoJo Romero’s 2025 season was a study in high-wire efficiency, as the left-hander overcame a nightmare start to become a vital late-inning anchor for the Cardinals. After sporting a bloated 6.10 ERA through April, Romero completely recalibrated, posting a dominant 1.12 ERA over his final 40.1 innings. He finished the campaign with career-best marks across the board: a 2.07 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts in 61 innings. While he proved lethal against lefties (.211 BAA), his true value emerged following the Ryan Helsley trade, where he stepped into the ninth inning to secure eight saves. However, his underlying 3.28 FIP and a ballooning 11.4% walk rate suggest he was the beneficiary of some elite defensive backing and timely sequencing.

As 2026 begins, Romero is the de facto "next man up" for the St. Louis closing role following Riley O’Brien’s recent calf strain. Having avoided arbitration with a one-year, $4.26 million deal, Romero enters his final year of team control as a primary trade candidate for a rebuilding Cardinals squad. Management has kept him in high-leverage situations throughout early spring training, though his long-term hold on the ninth inning is tenuous given the presence of Ryne Stanek and the eventual return of O'Brien. For fantasy managers, Romero is a "buy-now, sell-later" asset with an ADP around 403. He is a high-priority target for those needing early-season saves, but his high walk rate and constant trade rumors make him a volatile long-term investment