Minnesota Twins Bring Back Bullpen Veteran

The Minnesota Twins are making a familiar face return to their bullpen. Taylor Rogers, a 35-year-old left-handed pitcher, is coming back to Minnesota on a one-year, $2 million deal. He spent five seasons with the Twins from 2016 to 2021, even earning an All-Star nod in 2021. But bringing him back isn't just about nostalgia. The Twins' bullpen needs help, and Rogers, despite not being at his peak, can provide some stability. Last season, Rogers pitched for both the Reds and Cubs, posting a 3. 38 ERA in 50. 2 innings. He struck out 24% of batters, which is above average, but he also walked 10. 4% of them, which is a concern. His walk rate was more than double what it was during his best years with the Twins. Additionally, his pitch velocities have decreased. His sinker, which averaged 95. 7 mph in 2021, was down to 92. 7 mph last season. His slider also lost some zip, dropping from 84 mph to 78. 4 mph. This has led to fewer swinging strikes and more contact from opposing batters.Rogers' journey since leaving the Twins has been a bit of a rollercoaster. He was traded to the Padres before the 2022 season in a deal that brought Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagan to Minnesota. He then signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Giants, but they quickly moved him to middle-relief roles. His overall ERA with the Giants was solid at 3. 16, but his strikeout and walk rates have been trending in the wrong direction. The Twins' bullpen is in a state of flux. Last year, they traded away several key relievers, including Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and Louis Varland. This left them with a bullpen that had the fourth-worst ERA in the league after the trade deadline. Rogers' experience will be valuable, as he will be one of the few pitchers with multiple years of major league experience. The Twins have young starters who could potentially move to the bullpen, but for now, they need veteran arms to stabilize the situation. Adding Rogers pushes the Twins' payroll to just under $109 million. While he may not be the dominant pitcher he once was, he is an improvement over what the Twins currently have. The bullpen is far from set, but Rogers is a step in the right direction.