Astros Sign Josh Hader
Josh Hader is finally going to play for the Astros! Houston, of course, traded for Josh Hader back in 2013. He just never actually played for the team. Hader prior to reaching the majors was traded to Milwaukee in the Carlos Gomez trade. We’re now all the way in 2024 and Hader is about to finally play for the Astros. He’s also the richest reliever in baseball history. All in one fell swoop. Sorry, is that a boomer phrase?
Jeff Passan at ESPN was the first to report the news:
Hader, 29, will earn $19 million per year making him the highest-paid reliever ever. That number tops the AAV of Edwin Diaz who previously held the record. The deal has no opt-outs, no deferrals, and no player or team options. Straight up $95 million over five years in a tax free state. Not bad for a guy that had a 7.31 ERA in 2022!
Of course, that’s a bit misleading because he only had 19 appearances and ended the year on the shelf. Hader was back to his dominant ways in 2023 posting a 1.28 ERA in 61 games. The former Brewers and Padres closer also notched a 13.6 K per 9 rate.
It’s worth noting that I advised the Padres to trade Hader prior to the deadline. They did not listen. The good news is that they will at least be in line to receive a compensation draft pick. Long story short, they didn’t totally lose him for nothing.
I’d imagine Hader now takes over the 9th-inning role in Houston. Only fair considering that the guy leads MLB with 153 saves since 2019. He’s also second in K/9 (15.15) and fWAR (7.6) since that time. Ryan Pressly (also a stud) likely moves to the 8th-inning role. That Houston pen also features Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Kendall Graveman. Hector Neris is a free agent but if he returns that pen is downright filthy.
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