How the Cincinnati Reds choose who becomes a bobblehead
Bobblehead giveaways are popular with Reds fans. It takes months of work to create them.
The Cincinnati Reds continued their roster build ahead of spring training with the acquisition of figures on paper to be a high-leverage, left-handed arm to bolster the bullpen.
The Reds traded for lefty reliever Taylor Rogers, now formerly of the San Fransisco Giants, and cash, the team announced Wednesday. In exchange for Rogers, Cincinnati sent right-handed minor league pitcher Braxton Roxby, 25, to the Giants.
Rogers, 34, went 1-4 with the Giants in 2024 and posted a 2.40 ERA in 60 innings pitched. The 6-foot-3 pitcher averaged close to 10 strikeouts per nine innings against 3.3 walks per nine.
Rogers brings with him four appearances worth of postseason experience, as well as a nod to join the American League All-Star team in 2021 representing the Minnesota Twins. Rogers spent his first five MLB seasons in Minneapolis.
“He’s an accomplished left-handed pitcher that pitched really well in the pen over the last several years,” Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall said during a Wednesday night Zoom call. “I’m really excited to add him − veteran leadership that just takes the ball and can go get outs with the rest of that group.”
Roxby spent 2024 in Double-A Chattanooga and went 0-4 with a 5.21 ERA in 39 appearances. He signed to the Reds as an undrafted free-agent in 2020, and pitched collegiately at Pitt-Johnstown.
Notable on Rogers’ decorated résumé is his role as a closer at times throughout his career. He saved 31 games during the 2022 season and 30 games in 2019. For his nine-year big league career, Rogers has saved 83 contests.
Rogers won’t supplant Alexis Diaz for the closer role in Cincinnati as Diaz is the Reds’ established closer over the last two seasons. Krall said he viewed Diaz as one of the best in his role in the National League over the last two years, adding: “I think it’s his (Diaz’s) job right now.”
Rogers could still be in consideration for some closing situations given his experience.
“He’s done the role before. He’s a little bit different than Alexis is,” Krall said. “He has done the role. There is some comfort there. Just having more experience, more quality experience at the back end and the ability to get outs is the most important thing.”
Wednesday’s trade was the second piece of business the Reds settled this week. Although the club hasn’t made it official yet and didn’t discuss it during Krall’s Wednesday Zoom call, the Reds this week also signed free-agent outfielder Austin Hays on a $5 million, one-year deal.
According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, Rogers is set to earn $12 million in 2025 followed by reaching free agency in 2026.
While some clubs are effectively set on the personnel front with spring training approaching, the Reds remain relatively active with the report date of Feb. 12 for pitchers and catchers looming, plus the first full-squad workout set for Feb. 17 and the first Cactus League games scheduled for Feb. 22.
It remains to be seen if other moves are coming, though, and if the Reds can afford further line items on the 2025 budget.
“I think you’re always looking to figure out if you can make improvements to the club,” Krall said. “Hopefully, we can just continue to add to the club and continue to get better.”
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