Why Tigers are parting ways with catcher Jake Rogers

Jake Rogers may not have hit much in recent years, but he was a reliable backup catcher for the Detroit Tigers.

Now, they're moving on from Rogers just days ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

Rogers has been designated for assignment, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale:

The Detroit Tigers announce that popular catcher Jake Rogers is being DFA’d, and yes, Tarik Skubal will be making his start tomorrow, perhaps the last one in a Tigers’ uniform

The DFA means Rogers is removed from the 40-man roster and has to pass through waivers.

Another team could claim him. If he goes unclaimed, he could end up in Triple-A Toledo, or as a veteran, he could opt for free agency.

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Why are the Tigers moving on from Jake Rogers?

Detroit seems like it wants to go in a future-looking direction.

At this point, Rogers is more a piece of the past than a player they believe can help them going forward.

The slugging catcher Eduardo Valencia has done well at Triple-A, and in his brief stint in the major leagues, and he has more of a future in partnership with Dillon Dingler than Rogers does.

Detroit has kept Rogers around a long time, but the Tigers have finally decided to clear that spot and move in a different path.

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