Toronto reliever Tyler Rogers says Blue Jays were aggressive in free agency

New York Mets pitcher Tyler Rogers throws during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 7, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)

TORONTO — For the first time in his career, Toronto reliever Tyler Rogers felt like he was being recruited in the off-season.

The Blue Jays were interested right from the start of free agency, he said, with the two sides eventually agreeing to a three-year deal worth US$37 million.

“It leaves an impression when it’s the first team that contacts you,” Rogers said Friday on a conference call. “No matter who it is. So that started it for me and they seemed more aggressive than anybody.”

The submarine pitcher is coming off the best season of his seven-year career. He’ll most likely serve in a setup role for the American League champions.

Rogers was 4-6 this past season with a 1.98 earned-run average over 81 appearances with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. The Blue Jays confirmed the signing, which includes an option for 2029, on Monday.

“I went to a junior college out of high school and then I signed at a mid-major after junior college,” Rogers said. “So I’ve never been recruited before. So it felt good to be recruited in a sense.”

Drafted by San Francisco in the 10th round (312th overall) out of Austin Peay State in 2013, Rogers made his big-league debut with the Giants in 2019.

He spent six seasons with the club before he was moved to the Mets last summer at the trade deadline.

Rogers will likely serve in a setup role for the Blue Jays. Other late-inning bullpen options include Yimi Garcia, Louis Varland and Jeff Hoffman, who handled closer duties last year.

“When the American League champs give you a phone call, you kind of perk up and get excited about that,” Rogers said. “A team that was really close to winning the World Series.

“So that right there is a great start and the Blue Jays have a great reputation throughout the industry.”

Rogers, who turned 35 this week, has made at least 68 appearances in each of the last five seasons. His sinker/slider mix delivered with an almost underhanded pitching motion generates a lot of ground balls.

It will be in stark contrast to Toronto’s other high-leverage options who reach the high-90s on the radar gun.

“It doesn’t seem like they need much help,” Rogers said of the bullpen. “So I’m going to try and just fall in line and hopefully contribute where I can.”

Over seven seasons, Rogers is 26-23 with a 2.76 ERA and 1.10 WHIP (walks/hits per inning pitched). He leads the major leagues with 403 appearances and 406 1/3 relief innings since 2020.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins has made several changes to the bullpen this off-season.

Toronto recently acquired sidearmer Chase Lee from the Detroit Tigers and outrighted Yariel Rodriguez to Triple-A Buffalo after he cleared waivers. Justin Bruihl was designated for assignment before being traded to the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2025.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press