The Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday acquired left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers in a trade with the San Francisco Giants for minor league reliever Braxton Roxby, continuing additions in hopes of contending in the National League Central under new manager Terry Francona.
Rogers, 34, has closing experience and could slide into that role for the Reds or join a committee with incumbent closer Alexis Diaz. He excelled for the Giants last season, posting a 2.40 ERA in 60 innings while striking out 64 and walking 20, but San Francisco had sought in recent weeks to move payroll, according to sources, and did so by sending Rogers and his $12 million salary to Cincinnati.
After trading right-hander Fernando Cruz and losing right-hander Buck Farmer to free agency, the Reds sought bullpen depth and found it in Rogers, whose sinker-slider combination has buoyed him over his nine-year career.
The Reds will be Rogers’ fifth team after starting his career with Minnesota, moving to San Diego in a trade for Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagan, going to Milwaukee three months later in the Josh Hader deal and signing a three-year, $33 million free agent deal with San Francisco before the 2023 season.
While it’s unclear what the Giants will do with their newfound payroll flexibility, they’re in the midst of an overhaul after new president of baseball operations Buster Posey took over from Farhan Zaidi. San Francisco gave shortstop Willy Adames a seven-year, $182 million contract in early December and followed in mid-January with a one-year, $15 million deal for right-hander Justin Verlander.
Roxby, 25, was signed by Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent and thrived in his first minor league season in 2021, striking out 61 in 39⅔ innings. He spent most of 2022 and 2023 at High-A and struggled in Double-A last year, going 0-4 with a 5.21 ERA, though he still struck out 65 batters in 48⅓ innings.
Cincinnati continues to add to a team that finished 77-85 and fired manager David Bell, replacing him with Francona, a future Hall of Famer who came out of retirement. In addition to deal for Rogers, the Reds retained right-hander Nick Martinez and left-hander Brent Suter, acquired super-utility man Gavin Lux, right-handed starter Brady Singer and catcher Jose Trevino in trades, and signed outfielder Austin Hays to a one-year, $5 million deal and left-handed veteran Wade Miley to a minor league contract.
In a corresponding move, the Reds designated right-hander Owen White for assignment.