On the eve of the trade deadline, the Mets added another big-name reliever. Tyler Rogers, a stalwart of the Giants’ bullpen for years, was acquired via trade by the Mets on July 30. It came at a significant cost, as the Mets gave up a good bullpen piece in Jose Butto, plus Blade Tidwell and former first-round pick Drew Gilbert.

The Mets’ Return

• RP Tyler Rogers (1.80 ERA, 38 K over 50 IP)

The Giants are the only organization that Tyler Rogers has ever known. San Francisco drafted him in the 10th round back in the 2013 MLB Draft. Since then, he’s developed into one of baseball’s hidden gems.

Rogers has led the National League three times in total appearances, while his 53 outings this year rank first among all pitchers. He’s also been a model for durability; he’s never been on the injured list once in his Major League career.

The 34-year-old Rogers is a one-of-a-kind pitcher. His arm slot is beyond low, nearly starting from the mound. Not only does the ball practically rise given the arm slot but it’s also incredibly difficult to pick up that release point.

Despite the lack of velocity, his funkiness and stuff make Rogers one of the best relievers in the game. His 2.1% Barrel% ranks in the 100th percentile, while he’s one of the premier ground-ball (64.4%) pitchers.

He won’t miss a ton of bats but between the movement and everything else, it doesn’t matter.

The new Met does have some closing experience, as he notched 13 during the Giants’ 2021 campaign. However, he’s largely been a set-up man, primarily holding down the late innings for either Ryan Walker or Camilo Doval in recent years.

Rogers is a free agent at the end of the season.

The Giants’ Return

• SP/RP Jose Butto (3.64 ERA, 41 K over 47 IP)
• OF Drew Gilbert (.255/356/.455, 14 HR and 35 XBH over 87 GP (A and AAA))
• SP Blade Tidwell (9.00 ERA, 10 K over 15 IP (MLB))

The Giants receive two Major Leaguers in this deal, with Jose Butto & Blade Tidwell.

Butto, arguably the headliner of this trade, was a starter in the Minors and began his Major League career as one. However, in recent years, the 27-year-old has worked as a reliever, splitting time between working in high-leverage duty and working as a multi-inning arm.

The new Giant has multiple pitches to work with, essentially a starter’s arsenal. Butto can get swings-and-misses — he posted 30+% Whiff% on it in 2024-25 — off a four-seamer with carry and cut, not to mention velocity. He also has a two-seamer, a pitch that he’ll use against lefties & righties.

That sinker can also play off the changeup, which was regarded as his A-pitch. Butto also works with two sliders: a traditional slider with less left-to-right movement, and a sweeper.

Blade Tidwell, meanwhile, has four Major League outings under his arsenal. As indicated back in May when he made his MLB debut, he struggled with walks but is intriguing, thanks to a booming four-seamer, along with a sweeper, changeup, slider, and running two-seamer.

He hasn’t had much success stymying Major League hitters, though, with a 19.7% Whiff% in brief action.

The other player involved is Drew Gilbert, the best prospect involved in the deal. Gilbert, for those who remember, was the headliner in the return received for Justin Verlander two years ago.

At the time of the trade, Gilbert was seen as a jack-of-all-trades who could hit for power, run, and play good overall defense. However, he’s dealt with injury problems, as he missed the start of 2025 and three months of the 2024 campaign.

Gilbert doesn’t strike out a lot (60 over 361 plate appearances) but he also doesn’t take too many pitches (3.8 P/PA in 2025). He will also expand the zone at times, with a 23.1% Chase% on pitches out of the zone.

Analysis

San Francisco had a surplus of relievers, between Ryan Walker, Randy Rodriguez, and Camilo Doval, plus Spencer Bivens & Erik Miller (IL). And, with Rogers on his walk year, it’s not terribly surprising to see him being the odd man out.

Rogers is the kind of reliever a contender would want. There’s virtually no one like him, making him a true change-of-pace pitcher who can give opposing teams a very different look, and a reliable arm who can set up for closer Edwin Diaz. He also becomes the second notable reliever to head to Queens over the last week. Gregory Soto was acquired last week.

As for the Giants, it’s a very good return. San Francisco received a former first-round pick in Gilbert, one with power, and who could be a regular down the road. Additionally, Butto is the kind of arm who could be a starter with the Giants, given his background and stuff.

If the return winds up being an everyday outfielder and a back-end starter, that’s pretty good for a reliever on an expiring deal.

Check out more of our MLB coverage, inclduing a look at the Ke’Bryan Hayes trade.