22) C Christian Vazquez – Cardinals – Three years, $33 million
The Cardinals have a big hole behind the plate after Yadier Molina retired after 19 seasons with the club and Christian Vazquez may be the man to do it.
Vazquez, 32, is one of the most well-rounded catchers in the sport right now. In 2022 (between the Red Sox and World Champion Astros), he had an OPS+ of 99, which is pretty good for a catcher. He is also one of the best defensive catchers in the sport as well.
He’d be a significant upgrade over Andrew Knizner on both sides of the ball and would be relatively inexpensive.
The Brewers, D-Backs, Guardians, Tigers, and Twins are a few teams that could have interest in him with a three-year deal.
23) RP Taylor Rogers – Rockies – Three years, $30 million
Taylor Rogers was an All-Star for the first time in 2021 when he was with the Twins. Just before the start of the, he was traded to San Diego, who then traded him to Milwaukee in the Josh Hader deal at the trade deadline.
While with San Diego, Rogers struggled and after he went to Milwaukee, he struggled even more.
However, most of his numbers suggest that he had some bad luck (3.31 FIP compared to a 4.76 ERA, 2.7 BB/9, 11.8 K/9, 1.181 WHIP) so he should be in line for a rebound season next year.
He is an extreme groundball pitcher, which would be perfect for the Colorado Rockies. Groundball pitchers do better at Coors Field and in the last few years, that’s why much of their pitching staff has actually been better at home than on the road.
They also only had one left-handed reliever in the bullpen for much of the season (or went without one at times) and Rogers is a native of the Denver area (from the Denver suburb of Littleon). The Rockies also have had the worst bullpen in baseball for the last three seasons.
Outside of the Rockies, other suitors include the Phillies, Astros, Braves, Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, Rangers, Twins, and White Sox.