Reliever Tyler Rogers has agreed to a three-year, $37 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, citing the team's reputation for player and family support. The 35-year-old submarine pitcher, previously with the San Francisco Giants, highlighted Toronto's appeal after positive feedback from former teammates. His family, including two young children, will relocate to the city ahead of the season.
Tyler Rogers, a reliable right-handed reliever known for his unique submarine delivery, entered free agency with strong market interest at age 35. The Toronto Blue Jays quickly emerged as his choice, securing him on a three-year deal worth $37 million, including a club option for 2029. Rogers emphasized that the decision extended beyond finances, calling it a family matter.
His wife and two children—ages 1 and 4 by the start of the season—will move to Toronto full-time. The Blue Jays were the first team to contact him on the opening day of free agency, followed by a Zoom meeting with general manager Ross Atkins, manager John Schneider, and other staff. Rogers praised the organization's longstanding reputation in the industry for excellent facilities and family treatment, a view reinforced by players like Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt.
"When the American League champs give you a phone call, you kind of perk up and get excited about that," Rogers said. He added that everyone he spoke with who had played for Toronto insisted, "You’re going to love being in Toronto."
Rogers also drew from personal experience facing the Blue Jays. In a series after the All-Star break, San Francisco's starters—Justin Verlander, Logan Webb, and Robbie Ray—struggled against Toronto's lineup, which swept the Giants while striking out just four times combined. This resilience left an impression on Rogers, who sees the Blue Jays as contenders after their recent World Series push.
Such testimonials have helped shift perceptions, making Toronto a top destination for free agents seeking more than just competitive rosters.