The dreams of an apparently sizable contingent of the Giants fanbase were broken yesterday with the announcement that Tyler Rogers RHP agreed to a 3 yr/$37 M contract with the defending AL champion Blue Jays. The contract also has an $11 M vesting option for a 4'th season in 2029.
Tyler Rogers RHP. DOB: 12/17/1990. 6' 3", 190 lbs.
2025(Giants/Mets): 4-6, 1.98, 77.1 IP, 5.6 K/9, 0.8 BB/9, 3.39 GB/FB.
Rogers is coming off a tremendous season as a set up man for the Giants and Mets. He was traded to the Mets at the trade deadline when Buster Posey made the decision to sell after a tough home losing streak effectively dropped the Giants out of postseason contention. The major league reliever the Giants got in return, Jose Butto' was not nearly as effective as Rogers but they also acquired Drew Gilbert OF and Blade Tidwell RHP who are not only promising prospects but formerly players for new Giants Manager Tony Vitello at Univ. of Tennessee. Rogers now bolsters the bullpen of a team that is not only an obvious and immediate postseason contender but a serious contender to win a World Series Championship. Rogers already made a couple of better than decent paydays through arbitration eligibility with the Giants, but this contract sets him up for life. Good for him. It took him 6 seasons in the minors to get to the major leagues so he got a late start but used his unique delivery to become one of the most reliable set up relievers in the game. He has tried closing several times and was never able to succeed in that role probably due to his soft contact approach which sometimes gets him in trouble with the BABIP gods.
Jorge Polanco UT. DOB: 7/5/1993. B-S, T-R. 6' 0", 208 lbs. Contract: 2 yr/$40 M.
2025(Mariners): .265/.326/.495, 26 HR, 6 SB, 8.0 BB%, 15.6 K%, 524 PA.
Polanco is coming off a terrific season, by far his best since 2021 so the Mets are buying high on him. He is a multipositional player whose defense is not what it used to be. Although he has played mostly 2B, the Mets also acquired Marcus Semien 2B and plan to use Polanco as Pete Alonso's replacement at 1B. If Polanco can replicate his 2025 performance at the plate, he gives close to Alonso's value at a much lower cost and shorter financial commitment but his history suggests that may be a tough assignment for him.
I think you are right about Posey playing the long game. Had Polanco been unsigned in a month or two he may have been a good candidate to mix in at 2B and DH but for $40 million/2 years that’s a hard pass for me! I also prefer Devers over Alonso.
ReplyDeleteSomething nobody seems to be mentioning is what AZ and SD are going to do to replace what they lost. One or both of those teams could take a step back next season if they don’t replace the pitching they lost and in AZ’s case 2 middle of the order bats and possibly Marte if they decide to trade him. That alone gives the Giants a better chance next season of making the playoffs if they don’t have to worry about those 2 division rivals.
For the first time in a while I really don’t care who they bring in through FA or trades. I trust Posey and think this team has a really bright future. The 4th pick in the draft and really the next few rounds as well should be huge with Tony V’s insight. If we sign Luis Hernandez in January we will have 5-6 elite SS prospects in our system. I have confidence that any pitcher Posey brings in will be successful in Oracle as most are.
If you are a Giants fan and you aren’t excited then I envy you because I don’t know how I’m going to survive the next 2+ months until spring starts. I can’t wait to see what this team can do.
I detect a hint of irrational exuberance here but if you write the Dodgers off as one of the biggest outliers in MLB history the Giants do have a lot of exciting developments in the organization and should be an interesting team to follow in both the near and distant future.
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