The Minnesota Twins are welcoming back Taylor Rogers on a one-year, $2 million deal. Rogers previously played for the Twins from 2016 to 2021, where he even earned an All-Star spot in 2021. He’ll join the team’s bullpen, which needs some solid relief options after last year’s roster shake-up.
Rogers had a decent performance last season, posting a 3.38 ERA while striking out 24% of the batters he faced over 50.2 innings for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. However, his walk rate of 10.4% was notably high, especially compared to his best years in Minnesota when it was just 4.3%.
His pitching speed has declined as well. In 2021, Rogers threw his sinker at an average of 95.7 mph, but that dropped to 92.7 mph in 2025. This decline has affected his ability to generate swings and misses, leading to higher contact rates by opposing teams.
Rogers was traded from the Twins to the San Diego Padres just before the 2022 season, a move that brought Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagan back to Minnesota. He later signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the San Francisco Giants before being moved to the Reds last season.
Despite starting well, the Giants shifted Rogers to a less demanding relief role over time. Although his overall ERA remained solid at 3.16 during his contract, his performance metrics showed a consistent decline.
The Twins have faced challenges since trading several bullpen players last season, which left their relief roster thin. Following those trades, the team’s bullpen was one of the weakest in the league, with a fourth-worst ERA.
Right now, the Twins’ bullpen lacks experience. With Rogers back, he becomes its most seasoned pitcher. Others like Justin Topa and Cole Sands are also in the mix, but none bring substantial major league experience.
The Twins do have a promising group of young starters who might help bolster the bullpen in the future. However, adding more veteran arms would be wise. Although the team is operating with a lowered payroll, estimates suggest they still have room to make additional signings. Reports indicate they are looking at relievers like Seranthony Dominguez and others.
Overall, Rogers’ return offers a sense of stability to a reeling bullpen. While fans may remember him at his peak, any improvement he brings will be valuable for the Twins as they gear up for the season.
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