NY Mets Trade Deadline Target: Twins closer Taylor Rogers is someone to watch

Taylor Rogers has been with the Minnesota Twins since 2016 and doesn’t seem to get the credit he deserves. A season-high 4.05 ERA from last year still came in a campaign where he struck out 10.8 batters per nine and walked less than two per nine. Not quite elite, Rogers is incredibly reliable and one of the early trade targets I think the New York Mets should add to the radar.

I’m not exactly sure what it is the Mets should do at this year’s trade deadline. All of their needs are met when players are healthy. Even the bench looks solid.

One spot to always buy is the bullpen. Rogers, with a year of control after the 2021 campaign, makes a lot of sense to target as long as the price is right.

Why Taylor Rogers could be a Mets trade deadline target

Let’s first go over why the Twins might sell Rogers: the team stinks. They are buried early on in 2021 in a year with much higher expectations. Many of their best hitters are older. It may be now or never to add some reinforcements to the system.

Rogers will certainly have suitors this year. Even before he became the club’s closer in 2019, Rogers was a strong southpaw out of the bullpen for Minnesota. He has logged a lot of innings each season and looks well on his way to having another productive year this season.

The Mets wouldn’t use Rogers as a closer. This isn’t really a concern. The man has pitched well outside of the ninth inning. Plenty of closers have swapped teams mid-year and found success in a setup role. Considering the Mets only have Aaron Loup throwing from the left side out of their bullpen this year, it may not hurt to add another, particularly for the fact that they would have Rogers for another season.

What could the Twins want for Taylor Rogers?

For a year and a half of service from a left-handed reliever, the price won’t be cheap. Teams without a designated closer or those who face an injury closer to the end of July could feel tempted to pay more for him. The Twins, if they remain out of the playoff race, will have some good pieces they could acquire.

I find it highly unlikely that the Mets would trade a major league player for Rogers. I feel equally the same about any prospects of note going to Minnesota in the deal.

Rogers is good, but he is only a relief pitcher whose role once he arrives in New York decreases. This could hurt the Mets in any pursuit of him if they feel the same way.

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Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner has already been helpful to the club in attracting free agents. His relationship with Trevor May was one reason why the Mets were able to pluck him off the open market. This won’t do a thing to help in a trade for Rogers, but if Hefner is a fan, it could push the front office to get a little more aggressive.