The Cincinnati Reds have stepped on the gas pedal over the past few days. The Reds added outfielder Austin Hays on a one-year deal earlier this week and also reunited with former starter Wade Miley. The Reds' latest acquisition comes by way of a trade with the San Francisco Giants.
The Reds traded pitching prospect Braxton Roxby to the Giants in exchange for reliever Taylor Rogers. The left-hander is coming a fantastic season in the Bay Area with a sparkling 2.40 ERA in 64 appearances for the Giants. In order to clear space on the 40-man roster, the Reds designated Owen White for assignment.
Reds add former All-Star reliever Taylor Rogers in trade with SF Giants
Rogers was inked to a three-year, $33 million deal back in 2023, and the southpaw has one year and $12 million remaining on his current contract. According to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, the Giants are also sending money to the Reds as part of the trade. Rogers, a University of Kentucky product, covered over 110 innings the past two seasons with the Giants and posted a 131 ERA+.
Trade: The Cincinnati Reds are acquiring reliever Taylor Rogers from the San Francisco Giants for right-hander Braxton Roxby, according to sources familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 29, 2025
This trade is very peculiar. Not that the Reds would be interested in acquiring such a player, but that San Fran would send him packing for such a low-ball offer. Roxby is not a household name. The 25-year-old went un-drafted and was eligible for this past year's Rule 5 Draft, yet no team picked him up.
In three minor league seasons, the right-hander is 9-10 with a 4.30 ERA in 130 appearances. In 39 outings at Double-A Chattanooga, Roxby posted an unimpressive 5.21 ERA, but did strike out 65 batters in 48 ⅓ innings pitched. While the 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings is spectacular, the 4.5 walks per nine and 1.510 WHIP are not.
Adding Rogers to the backend of the bullpen now gives new Reds manager Terry Francona several high-leverage arms to turn to when needed. Rogers will slide in alongside fellow lefty Sam Moll and veteran hurler Emilio Pagán to help bridge the gap to closer Alexis Díaz. This is a tremendous pickup on the part of Nick Krall and Reds front office.
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