The SF Giants bullpen has not been the same since the Tyler Rogers trade

The bullpen has been an unfortunate story for the SF Giants in 2026, but their struggles go further back than that. In fact, the decline of this iteration of the bullpen can be tied back to the Tyler Rogers trade.

Before the trade, the Giants' bullpen had a 3.26 ERA, which was the second-best mark in baseball. Rogers anchored that unit, along with Camilo Doval, Randy Rodríguez, and Erik Miller. Miller missed the second half of the year with an elbow sprain.

Doval and Rogers were traded at the trade deadline, and Rodríguez underwent Tommy John surgery. By the end of the season, that core was no longer intact. In a lot of ways, Rogers felt like the glue guy in the bullpen.

Rodríguez earned an NL All-Star nod. Doval and Miller had bouts of effectiveness, even if the underlying numbers were not as promising. However, Rogers felt like the true constant in that core. He could be counted on to cover the eighth inning every other day without a decline in effectiveness. That combination of durability and effectivness is difficult to find.

Tyler Rogers was the glue guy in the SF Giants bullpen

The bullpen has not been the same since then, and Rogers' absence could be felt right away. Since the trade, the Giants have posted a 4.28 ERA, which is 20th in baseball in that time. The decline in that unit is not tied entirely to just that one move, but it highlights how much of a key member he was to the bullpen for years.

The bullpen has struggled to find any type of consistency or roles over the past 11 months. They have cycled through relievers without finding any meaningful solutions.

Meanwhile, Rogers joined the Toronto Blue Jays, who are in town for a three-game series, on a three-year, $37 million pact. This includes a team option for a fourth year. The veteran reliever has been fantastic in his first year with Toronto, pitching to a 1.77 ERA in 42 appearances. There are only a handful of relievers who have made more appearances than Rogers this season, but only Brent Headrick of the New York Yankees has a better ERA (1.45).

Rogers was on an expiring deal, and the Giants had to make a move. They received Drew Gilbert, Blade Tidwell, and José Buttó. If Gilbert turns into a role player for a couple of seasons, then the Giants will have done well in that deal. That deal might look even better in hindsight if Tidwell can fill a spot on the pitching staff. This is not to re-litigate the trade. It is more of an appreciation post for a very good Giant.

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