The Toronto Blue Jays are riding the momentum of their American League pennant all the way into the offseason-and it’s paying dividends. First, it helped bring in a top-tier starter in Dylan Cease. Now, it’s played a key role in landing one of the most consistent and unique arms in the league: reliever Tyler Rogers.
“When the American League champs give you a phone call, you kind of perk up,” Rogers said during a Zoom call with reporters on Friday. “A team that was really close to winning the World Series-that right there is a great start.”
That kind of credibility matters. Players want to win, and when a team proves it can make a deep October run, it becomes a much more attractive destination.
But for Rogers, it wasn’t just about chasing a ring. The Blue Jays’ reputation around the league helped seal the deal.
“They’ve had a great reputation even before the World Series run,” Rogers added. “How they treat their players, the facilities, and especially how they take care of families-that really stood out.”
For a 35-year-old veteran entering his eighth big league season, that kind of environment matters. Rogers has been around the block-drafted by the Giants, he spent nearly his entire career in San Francisco before being moved at the trade deadline this past season to the New York Mets. The Mets had postseason hopes, but things didn’t pan out, and Rogers found himself heading into free agency with a clear priority: find the right fit.
Toronto checked all the boxes.
The Blue Jays didn’t waste time. According to Rogers, they were the first team to reach out.
That early interest made an impression, and once he started asking around, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone I talked to who’s played there said the same thing,” he said.
“Not just that you’ll like it-but that you’ll love it.”
Toronto backed up their interest with a significant investment: a three-year, $37 million deal with a vesting option for 2029. That’s elite reliever money, and Rogers’ resume supports the price tag.
Let’s talk numbers. In 420 career games, Rogers has posted a 2.76 ERA over 424 innings with 306 strikeouts against just 77 walks.
That’s a 1.09 WHIP and a minuscule 0.6 home runs allowed per nine innings. In an era where bullpens are often volatile and walks and homers can derail a game in a heartbeat, Rogers brings exactly the kind of stability Toronto needs.
And then there’s the style. Rogers is one of the rare submarine pitchers left in the league, giving hitters a completely different look out of the 'pen. That kind of variation can be a nightmare for opposing lineups, especially when used strategically in late-inning matchups.
He’s also been one of the best in the business when it comes to the eighth inning. Over 241 innings pitched in that frame alone, Rogers has held hitters to a .239/.270/.331 slash line while posting a 6.31 strikeout-to-walk ratio. That’s elite setup man territory, and it gives Toronto a clear weapon to bridge the gap to the ninth.
The Blue Jays bullpen had its ups and downs last season, particularly when it came to walks and the long ball. Rogers addresses both of those pain points. His command is sharp, his contact suppression is real, and his experience in high-leverage spots makes him a plug-and-play option from Day 1.
Toronto’s front office has made it clear they’re not settling for a one-and-done postseason run. They’re building a roster that can not only get back to the World Series-but finish the job. And Rogers is the kind of piece that helps make that happen.
So far, the Blue Jays have focused their winter moves on pitching. The position player side?
Still quiet. But if this front office continues to combine smart roster construction with a reputation for taking care of players and their families, they’ll stay in the mix for top-tier talent across the board.
For now, they’ve added a proven, durable, and versatile arm to an already competitive bullpen. And in December, that’s a win worth celebrating.