5 players the Minnesota Twins should trade to complete their fire sale

After a rough 2020, at least on the surface (4.05 ERA, 2.84 FIP), Rogers earned a spot on the AL All-Star roster with a 54:8 K/BB ratio in the first half this year. He has a 3.43 ERA overall, over 38 appearances, with eight saves in 12 chances as well as eight holds.

It’s worth noting that two of Rogers’ blown saves came in back-to-back outings on each side of the All-Star break. So the wheels may be starting to come off a little. But he’s a high-strikeout, low-walk reliever, with sub-2.0 BB/9 rates in three seasons running. A ground ball-heavy tilt to his the batted balls he allows (49.5 percent this year) is helpful to his success (and his trade value).

Rogers is arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter. So the Twins may not part with him willingly in a trade if they hold to their reported stance (or leverage play) regarding those with any team control left. But he’s a late-inning reliever, on a team that won’t be winning many games. So the reality is he’s a prime trade candidate, and a trade asset to be cashed in if there’s a chance.

There’s a bit of risk to pitching Rogers a lot over the next week, though he did not allow a run in his most recent outing going into Friday. But if he’s is still a Twin after the trade deadline passes, they’ve done it wrong upon almost surely turning away interest from multiple teams.