After eleven MLB seasons, 36‑year‑old Taylor Rogers is gunning for his twelfth. Will he stay with Minnesota or reunite with brother Tyler in Toronto’s bullpen?
Rogers spent six years with the Twins, then bounced among five clubs from 2022‑25 before signing a one‑year, $2 million deal last winter. He logged a 4.33 ERA and a 4.58 SIERA over 60 1/3 innings, walking just 11.2% of batters while striking out 19.6%. Both his strikeout and 34.6% ground‑ball rates were career lows.
On the upside, his 28% hard‑hit rate topped his career and landed in the 98th percentile among 2026 pitchers. Yet a .331 BABIP muted the advantage of that soft contact. He also posted a career‑best 6% homer rate, surrendering only five long balls in 60 1/3 frames. Predictably, left‑handed hitters managed a .696 OPS against him, versus .860 for righties, though he faced both evenly in low‑leverage spots.
Despite average numbers, Rogers provided leadership in Minnesota’s bullpen. Coach LaTroy Hawkins praised his mentorship of younger arms and admitted Rogers helped him adjust in his inaugural big‑league coaching year. Hawkins will return in 2027, even as the Twins part ways with pitching coach Pete Maki and assistant Luis Ramirez.
Given his bond with manager Derek Shelton and deep Twin Cities roots, a new contract this winter seems likely. For my money, a $2 million salary—mirroring his 2026 pay—makes sense for the Twins, Blue Jays or any club needing a steady reliever.
Toronto’s relievers logged 1,176 outings in 2025‑26, the most in the league, so adding a durable arm like Rogers would be logical. If the Jays eye a left‑handed option beside Mason Fluharty, could the Rogers twins reunite at Rogers Centre next season?