The San Francisco Giants head into the 2026 offseason with a clear priority: rebuilding a bullpen that fell short down the stretch. And one name that makes a lot of sense in that equation is a familiar one-Tyler Rogers.
Rogers, the submarine-throwing righty who’s quietly been one of the most dependable relievers in baseball, is now a free agent after a solid stint with the Mets. The Giants traded him at the deadline in 2025, but a reunion has always seemed like a logical move-especially for a team that needs stability in the late innings. The question now is whether San Francisco is willing to pay the price.
The Market Is Moving, and It’s Not Cheap
With Ryan Helsley landing a two-year, $28 million deal from the Orioles, the market for relievers is starting to take shape-and it’s trending upward. Helsley’s deal, despite his struggles after a midseason move to New York, sets a strong precedent for what quality bullpen arms can command this winter. And with big names like Edwin Díaz, Devin Williams, and Robert Suarez still on the board, the top-end market could push even mid-tier relievers like Rogers into eight-figure territory annually.
ESPN’s projection for Rogers is a three-year, $27 million deal-$9 million per year for a guy who doesn’t light up the radar gun but gets outs with movement, deception, and elite groundball rates. That’s not an unreasonable ask for a pitcher who’s proven he can handle leverage situations, but it might be more than the Giants are willing to commit.
Giants Spending Philosophy Could Be a Roadblock
Recent moves suggest San Francisco is leaning toward a more cost-conscious approach this winter. They non-tendered lefty Joey Lucchesi, who was projected to earn just $2 million, and turned around to sign Sam Hentges for $1.4 million. That’s not the behavior of a front office gearing up to drop $27 million on a setup man.
Chairman Greg Johnson has already expressed hesitation about handing out nine-figure deals to frontline starters, and that conservative philosophy likely extends to the bullpen as well. President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey has hinted at a bullpen-by-committee approach, possibly favoring internal competition over splashy free-agent signings. That strategy could work-but it also carries risk, especially in a division where every late-inning lead matters.
Rogers Isn’t Flashy, But He’s Effective
Let’s be clear: Rogers isn’t your prototypical high-leverage reliever in today’s game. He doesn’t throw 98, and he’s not going to rack up strikeouts at an elite rate. But what he does do-induce weak contact, keep the ball on the ground, and throw strikes with consistency-is incredibly valuable, especially over a 162-game grind.
After the trade to New York, Rogers continued to do what he’s always done: get outs. He’s not a closer, and he’s not going to dominate highlight reels, but he’s the kind of arm that managers trust in the seventh and eighth innings. And in a league where bullpen volatility is the norm, that kind of reliability is worth paying for.
The Secret’s Out-And That Could Hurt the Giants
For years, Rogers was a bit of a hidden gem in San Francisco-an unconventional weapon who flew under the radar. But after his stint in New York and his entry into free agency, that’s no longer the case. Teams around the league have taken notice, and that’s going to drive up the price.
The Giants, meanwhile, are at a crossroads. They need bullpen help, and they know what they’re getting in Rogers. But if they stick to a strict budget, they might find themselves watching a key piece of their recent success thrive somewhere else.
Bottom Line
From a baseball standpoint, bringing back Tyler Rogers makes all the sense in the world. He’s durable, dependable, and already proven in the Giants’ system.
But the front office’s willingness to spend-or lack thereof-could be the deciding factor. If Rogers commands something in the $9-10 million per year range, San Francisco will have to decide whether his value on the field outweighs their fiscal caution.
And if they pass? They’d better hope their bullpen-by-committee plan holds up when the games start to matter.