9 trade targets for the Colorado Rockies from the Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins reliever Taylor Rogers is the perfect fit of perfect fits for the Colorado Rockies.

Back in October, when we looked at one trade target per team that the Colorado Rockies should look at, Minnesota Twins reliever Taylor Rogers was our pick. As we said at the time, “[o]f the 29 players on this list, there may not be a better fit for the Colorado Rockies than Minnesota Twins reliever Taylor Rogers.” That is still the case for all the players on this list.

Rogers, 31, posted a 3.35 ERA in 2021 and had a phenomenal walk (1.8 BB/9) and strikeout rate (13.2 K/9). That led him to his first career All-Star appearance. In his six-year career, he has made 319 appearances (all in relief) and he has a career ERA of 3.15 (139 ERA+).

He always has had a good strikeout rate (above one strikeout per inning in all but one season and nearly 11 or more per nine innings in each of the last three seasons) and always a good walk rate (2.2 BB/9).

The Rockies need some bullpen help, which he would provide. They need a lefty, which he is. They need a veteran lefty, which he is. Having a groundball rate in a pitcher is a plus, which he also checks that box (48.8 percent since 2019). He also knows how to pitch at altitude as he is from the Denver suburb of Littleton.

The only issue with him is that he is a free agent at the end of the 2022 season and, considering that he’ll make around $6.7 million in arbitration this offseason, he still could get a fair amount in free agneyc. Whether it’s a trade for him or if they sign him in free agency, he is a perfect fit for the Rockies.

That wraps up this edition in our series and wraps up the American League Central. Tomorrow, we move on to the American League West and the reigning American League Champion Houston Astros.