Padres acquire Taylor Rogers and Brent Rooker from Twins

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The San Diego Padres have acquired left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers, outfielder Brent Rooker and cash considerations from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed pitchers Chris Paddack, Emilio Pagán and a player to be named later, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller announced today.

Rogers, 31, was named to his first career American League All-Star team in 2021, going 2-4 with a 3.35 ERA (15 ER, 40.1 IP) and a 13.17 strikeout-per-9.0 IP ratio, sixth highest among American League relievers and 10th best in the Majors. The 6-3, 190-pound left-hander began 2021 as the Twins’ primary set-up man, finishing with eight holds on the season, while also converting nine of his 13 save opportunities, including six-straight from May 25-July 8. Since 2016, his 319 appearances rank fourth in the American League and first most among AL left-handers. In 2019, he posted career-bests in ERA (2.61), innings pitched (69.0), strikeouts (90) and saves (30), becoming one of just 19 American League relievers to post a 30-save campaign since his debut season in 2016. The Denver, Colo. native was originally drafted in the 11th-round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Kentucky, and owns a 3.15 ERA (110 ER, 314.2 IP) with 361 strikeouts against 76 walks (4.75 SO/BB ratio).

Rooker, 27, has played in 65 Major League games for the Twins across the 2020-21 seasons, hitting .212 (44-for-208) with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, a .299 on-base percentage and .413 slugging percentage. The Germantown, Tenn. native split 2021 between Triple-A St. Paul and the big-league club, batting .245 (54-for-220) with a .367 OBP and .564 SLG in 62 games for the Saints and .201 (38-for-189) in 58 games with the Twins. Between the two teams in 2021, the 6-3, 225-pound right-handed batter combined to hit 29 home runs, 23 of which were against right-handers and six off lefties. While with the Twins in ‘21, Rooker made 38 appearances in left field, eight in right field, and 10 as the designated hitter.