Taylor Rogers

Position: RP
Bats/Throws: L/L
Date of Birth: 12/17/1990

Traditional Stats: 40 GS, 2-4, 3.35 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 59 K, 40.1IP
Advanced Stats: 1.6 bWAR, 2.13 FIP, 2.55 xERA, 4.8 BB%, 35.5 K%

Rundown

Taylor Rogers, not Tyler Rogers his identical twin pitching for the San Francisco Giants, would be an ideal trade candidate with the Mets currently having no healthy left-handed relievers healthy for their bullpen.

Rogers made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Twins organization. Since he’s accumulated multiple seasons with an ERA under 3.00 out of the bullpen and only saw his ERA rise north of 4.00 during the shortened 2020 season.

Rogers was a first-time All-Star in 2021. During the first half of the season, Rogers made 36 appearances. He finished 13 games and earned eight saves. Additionally, he struck out 54 batters in 37.2 innings.

Unfortunately for Rogers, he wouldn’t have an opportunity to build off his first half. Rogers made just four appearances during the second half of the season after a left middle finger injury ended his season prematurely. The injury occurred on July 26 when he misfired a pitch and exited immediately.

Because of his contract situation and age, Rogers becomes a more interesting trade piece for the Twins. He’s already 31 and clearly has the ability to be a top-level reliever but it’s up to them if they think he’ll still be at or around this level when they’re ready to compete. Remember, they traded the 27-year-old ace Jose Berrios at the deadline last season.

Rogers has one year remaining on his current deal where he’ll be paid $6.25 million. He’s an unrestricted free agent in 2023.

Package

Dominic Smith, you are a Minnesota Twin. The Twins options in the infield are few and they don’t have any intriguing first-base guys coming up through their farm system. Could the 26-year-old get a fresh start in Minnesota after a humbling 2021 season?

Minnesota is a pitching-heavy farm and I wouldn’t expect the Mets to get anyone from that group in a deal. It could potentially be a rare one-for-one swap.

My Thoughts

The Mets 40-man roster is devoid of left-handed pitching. There are only three lefties and all three – David Peterson, Joey Lucchesi, Thomas Szapucki – are coming off major surgery.

New York needs a lockdown lefty after the departure of Aaron Loup before the lockout. The Mets should be in contact with the Twins front office (possibly assistant general manager Daniel Adler who they interviewed for their GM job) on a possible deal. New York couldn’t swing a blockbuster deal with the Twins at the last deadline but this move certainly makes sense for both sides.