Heading into the All-Star Break, Tyler Rogers wasn’t expecting to be moved.
The Giants were in the thick of things in the crowded NL Wild Card race, but they opened the second half of the season on an extreme cold stretch and quickly things changed.
The dagger was a three-game sweep at home against the Mets.
After that San Fran began looking more like obvious sellers heading towards the trade deadline, and then on Wednesday afternoon the right-hander was shipped out to the Big Apple in a deal for three young pieces.
“I spent so long in San Francisco, great people over there,” Rogers said. “I gave them everything I had, I can’t say enough about the people over there and the city, it’s where I got started and got drafted — I just can’t say much more about them.”
Ironically enough, it won’t take long for him to see his former club again.
His first first outing in orange and blue will likely come against them this weekend, as the two teams face off in a three-game set at Citi Field.
Once he does that, he’ll have an appearance against every team in his career.
“Baseball is funny that way,” he said. “13 years I was in the Giants organization, to get traded is new — to go out there and pitch for a new team for the first time ever is gonna be weird, then to look up and see a Giants uniform in the batters box will be something.”
Rogers flew to New York with the Giants before joining his new team.
Though it’s a big change, the veteran is excited to join the NL East leading Mets down the stretch.
“Looking across the dugout a week ago, you could just tell this team is the complete package,” he said. “I’m very excited to be a part of it — I’m just trying to slide in and do my part, whatever they need me to do.”
Rogers’ roll will likely be similar to the one he played in San Fran.
He’ll help bridge the gap to All-Star closer Edwin Diaz alongside other deadline acquisition Ryan Helsley in the revamped Mets bullpen.
On the season, the 34-year-old has a 1.80 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 53 appearances.
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