Houston Astros Reportedly Going After All-Star Closer Josh Hader on Free Agent Market

Josh Hader has been among the best relievers in baseball over the past few years, and the Houston Astros are trying to add him to a bullpen that just lost Kendall Graveman to injury.

The Houston Astros are attempting to sign free agent closer Josh Hader, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome.

Houston's late-inning options appeared to be among the strongest in the American League just one week ago, between two-time All-Star reliever Ryan Pressly and reliable veteran Kendall Graveman. But with Graveman now set to miss the entire 2024 season due to a recent shoulder injury, the Astros appear to be looking for reinforcements for their bullpen.

Hader is the top free agent on the market, coming off another All-Star campaign with the San Diego Padres in 2023. Since making his major league debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017, Hader has a 2.50 ERA, 0.944 WHIP, 15.0 strikeouts per nine innings and 165 saves under his belt.

The 29-year-old left-hander is looking to break the record for the largest contract ever signed by a closer, per Rosenthal and Rome. The New York Mets gave Edwin Diaz a five-year, $102 million contract last offseason, setting a new high mark for relievers.

Hader is a five-time All-Star and three-time Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award winner, making him the one most decorated active closers.

The Astros are making a push for Josh Hader, per @Ken_Rosenthal pic.twitter.com/MsN4UDArsH

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) January 18, 2024

According to The Athletic, the Astros tried to acquire Hader at the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline. The deal never came to fruition, however, and they ultimately swung a trade with the Chicago White Sox for Graveman.

If they were to nab Hader this time around, the Astros' payroll would assuredly exceed the luxury tax threshold. There would also be an intiguing battle between Hader and Pressly for the closer role in Houston.

Hader went 2-3 with a 1.28 ERA, 1.101 WHIP, 13.6 strikeouts per nine innings, 33 saves and a 2.4 WAR in 2023. Pressly, on the other hand, went 3-5 with a 3.58 ERA, 1.071 WHIP, 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings, 31 saves and a 0.1 WAR.

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