The Minnesota Twins are finally getting some reinforcements for their bullpen. On Thursday, sources confirmed to Zone Coverage that the Twins signed former All-Star lefty Taylor Rogers to a one-year, $2 million deal.
Rogers, 35, last pitched with the Twins in 2021 and spent 2025 with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. Rogers had a decent year, pitching to a 3.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 24% strikeout rate, 10.4% walk rate, and 4.38 FIP over 50 ⅔ innings over 57 relief appearances.
Reuniting with Rogers gives the Twins a much-needed veteran reliever in a young, up-and-coming bullpen. It also sets Rogers up to be their primary left-handed arm in high-leverage roles.
Kody Funderburk showed encouraging improvements following the trade deadline, pitching to a 0.75 ERA, 10 walks, and 28 strikeouts in 27 appearances post-trade deadline. Still, he’s a bit inexperienced in the high-leverage roles where many left-handed pitchers must pitch to take advantage of matchups.
However, with Rogers back in the organization, he and Funderburk will serve as the two lefty relievers in the Twins bullpen for Opening Day. They will balance out each other’s workloads against opposing left-handed batters.
That also allows the Twins to take their time with their top left-handed pitching prospect, Connor Prielipp, who is coming off his best and healthiest season yet. With Rogers in the mix, they don’t have to rush him up to the majors if he’s not yet ready.
Taylor Rogers addition brings the Twins payroll to around $105 million entering the 2026 season. They have now spent a total of $23 million in free agency this offseason, which is the most they have spent in three years, dating back to the 2022-23 offseason when they signed Christian Vázquez, Joey Gallo, and Carlos Correa in free agency.
Tom Pohlad, the Twins’ new Chairperson, indicated that the Twins would gradually build back their payroll during his first press conference in December. Their payroll is unlikely to exceed $115 million in 2026. Still, it’s a better sign for Minnesota’s payroll heading into the upcoming season than at the beginning of the off-season, when people speculated they would have a payroll below $100 million.
Rogers’ velocity on his sinker has dropped around 3 MPH since he last pitched for the Twins in 2021. Still, given his role as a veteran leader in the bullpen, the decline is not so concerning, especially as he enters his age-35 season.
Opponents’ batting average against Rogers has gradually increased over the last three seasons, from .211 in 2023 to .237 in 2024 and .247 last season. Part of that was facing 116 right-handed hitters in 2025, who hit .265 against Rogers, but he still holds solid splits against left-handed batters, holding them to a .227 opponents batting average over 105 plate appearances.
The Twins may not be done spending on free agent relievers with Taylor Rogers. The Star Tribune reported that Derek Falvey said at the St. Paul Baseball Old Timers Hot Stove League banquet Wednesday night. If their payroll could be as high as $115 million for 2026, then they still have around $10 million to spend in free agency, adding an arm or two to further bolster their bullpen in 2026.
But for now, the addition of Rogers gives the Twins more assurance for bullpen depth than they had at the beginning of the off-season. That should set them up for better success in 2026.
