MLB Rumors: Mets Linked To Available All-Star Reliever

The New York Mets are still hanging on the periphery of the Wild Card race in the National League, just 4.0 games back heading into Thursday's games. But their bullpen could use a little shoring up at the back end, and it just so happens that a top-flight high-leverage reliever has just been placed on waivers.

Taylor Rogers is now available to be claimed, as the San Francisco Giants are attempting a little salary dumping. Rogers is in the 2nd year of a 3-year deal at $11 million per season. That's a little pricey for a reliever that's not acting as a closer.

But for the Mets and owner Steve Cohen, it's chump change. That's why baseball insider Robert Murray figures New York could be the team that puts in a claim on the accomplished southpaw.

I do think there's a team that makes a whole lot of sense here. And that's the New York Mets. They have deep pockets... (Rogers) could be helpful for them next year, but he's also a short term solution for what is becoming kind of a problem here with Edwin Diaz's troubles. He could maybe spell Diaz, give him a breather in the late innings and allow him to reset, and also add a veteran option in the late innings or just in high-leverage in general.

Rogers was a closer as recently as 2022, locking down 31 saves for the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers. He was an All-Star in 2021 with the Minnesota Twins.

He's not closing for the Giants this season, but his 2.45 ERA and 59:16 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 51 innings looks mighty enticing for a team that's trying to secure a postseason berth.

Rogers is in his 9th year in the majors, and second with San Francisco. He has a career 3.36 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 83 career saves. If not team puts in a claim, he will stay with the Giants.