2 Cubs free agents David Stearns could desire, 2 NY Mets players Jed Hoyer might like

A pair of Cubs free agents who could land in Queens and two Mets who could find their way to Chicago.
Division Series - Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago Cubs - Game Three
Division Series - Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago Cubs - Game Three | Geoff Stellfox/GettyImages
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Tyler Rogers can help the Cubs fill a vacant bullpen this offseason

Taylor Rogers found his way to the Cubs via the Pittsburgh Pirates after beginning the season on the Cincinnati Reds. A former Brewers pitcher as well, the natural inclination is to believe he’ll end up with the St. Louis Cardinals next year to cross off every NL Central team. His brother, meanwhile, is a Mets free agent looking for a new home. A candidate to return to Queens, he might also be an answer to the Cubs vacancies in their bullpen.

Rogers’ appeal that goes beyond just his results is his delivery. The funky submarine style is bound to mesh well with any other group of relievers. As baseball becomes more of a chess match and less of a tug-of-war, cleverly designing ball clubs around things like having pitchers with different deliveries will become more common. It could help Rogers stay in the league forever. Based on his health and ability to throw in half of his team’s games regularly, it’s not out of the question for him to reach his 40s with a big league contract.

There are still a few years between Rogers is over-the-hill. His next concern is where he’ll call home in 2026. It’ll be his first trip into free agency at 35. He won’t blow hitters away with strikeouts. What he can do is eat innings one day at a time. As a direct replacement for potentially losing Keller to the Mets or anyone else, Rogers is very much someone we should see going to the Cubs this winter.

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