Twins, Rogers avoid arbitration

After yesterday’s news of the Minnesota Twins and most of its players agreeing on salary numbers for the 2021 season (and a couple of non-tenders), only one player was left on the arbitration-eligible list with which the club had to work out an agreement. Reliever Taylor Rogers and the Minnesota front office were reportedly close to such agreement, but not close enough to announce anything at the deadline last night, so they officially tendered him a contract.

It appears that the two sides have come to an agreement as of this morning, according to Dan “The Man” Hayes of The Athletic, thus avoiding arbitration:

The southpaw reliever will net $6 million for his services in 2021, exponentially more that we as a community will probably make in one lifetime combined. MLB Trade Rumors predicted he would earn $6.9 million. Rogers closed out a dismal 2020 season owning a 4.05 ERA, 2.84 FIP, and 11.7 H/9 in 20 innings of work. In addition, he converted nine of 11 save opportunities to a positive outcome. On the bright side, he struck out batters at a 10.8 K/9 clip and turned in a 6.00 K/BB ratio.

The avoidance of arbitration with Rogers closes the book this winter for the Twins on coming to terms with all arb-eligible players. What remains is indicating salaries for pre-arbitration players and free agency, which should heat up with the Winter Meetings fast approaching.