Taylor Rogers Returns to Minnesota on a One-Year Contract
The Minnesota Twins are bolstering their bullpen with a familiar face, bringing back veteran reliever Taylor Rogers on a one-year, $2 million contract, as reported by Ken Rosenthal and Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Rogers, represented by Frontline Athlete Management, previously spent six seasons (2016-2021) with the Twins, including a stellar run as their closer and earning an All-Star nod in 2021.
With a full 40-man roster, the Twins will need to make a corresponding move to create space for Rogers, as well as recently signed catcher Victor Caratini. This reunion addresses a critical need for the Twins – a reliable arm in the bullpen.
A Valuable Addition Despite Recent Performance
While Rogers isn’t currently performing at the peak level he reached during his initial stint with Minnesota, he still offers valuable experience. In 50 2/3 innings pitched for the Reds and Cubs in 2025, he maintained a solid 3.38 ERA with an above-average 24% strikeout rate. However, his 10.4% walk rate was a career high, more than double his average during his best years as a Twin (2019-2021).
There has been a noticeable decline in Rogers’ velocity. His sinker averaged 95.7 mph in 2021, dropping to 92.7 mph in 2025, and his slider saw a similar decrease from 84 mph to 78.4 mph. This has impacted his swinging-strike rate and increased opponents’ contact rate.
A Complex Baseball Journey
Rogers was initially traded from the Twins to the Padres in 2022 in a deal that brought Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagan back to Minnesota. He then signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Giants, who later traded him to the Reds. While he recorded a dozen holds and a pair of saves with the Giants, he transitioned to a middle-relief role in his second season.
Despite a sound overall ERA of 3.16 over the life of his contract with the Giants, Rogers’ rate stats have steadily declined. Even in a diminished capacity, he represents an upgrade to a Twins bullpen that was significantly weakened at last year’s trade deadline.
Addressing a Depleted Bullpen
The Twins underwent a major overhaul of their bullpen last year, trading away key relievers like Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Louis Varland, Danny Coulombe, and Brock Stewart. This fire sale brought in promising young players and prospects, but left the bullpen severely lacking in experience. Twins relievers posted the fourth-worst ERA in the league following the deadline.
Rogers immediately becomes the most experienced member of the current bullpen, potentially offering high-leverage options or even save opportunities. He joins Justin Topa, Cole Sands, and Kody Funderburk as the only current bullpen members with a full year of major league service time.
Looking Ahead
The Twins have a promising group of young starting pitchers who could eventually contribute to the bullpen, but adding another veteran arm remains a priority. Rogers’ $2 million contract leaves the Twins with approximately $25 million remaining in payroll, providing them with the financial flexibility to pursue additional bullpen reinforcements. Players like Seranthony Dominguez, Michael Kopech, Nick Martinez, Tommy Kahnle, and Paul Sewald have reportedly been discussed.
MLB.com provides further coverage of the Twins and the ongoing free agency period.
