Latest Josh Hader Free Agency Rumors as Offseason Continues

The All-Star closer is still searching for a new home.

San Diego Padres free agent closer Josh Hader is still available as we finish off the 2023 calendar year. Multiple free agents like Hader were waiting for Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to sign.

Now that they have, the signings are expected to heat up around the league. Hader provides a team with a solid and trustworthy option out of the bullpen at the end of games. 

Last season with the Padres, Hader was excellent. He posted an ERA of 1.28 and a WHIP of 1.19. The veteran also added 33 saves to the mix as well, giving San Diego a great arm to close games out.

His market has been a little thin so far, but his name has come up more often of late. The Athletic's Jim Bowden said that there are three main teams in on Hader right now.

The most common teams linked to him have been the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. The Philadelphia Phillies have been mentioned as well, but they remain a mystery. 

The Rangers have some financial concerns, and the Yankees may not be willing to pay big for a bullpen piece. Philadelphia could use him, but they may have more pressing needs in the starting rotation.

The biggest issue with Hader is that he is looking for a big contract. He wants to top the 5-year, $102 million deal that Edwin Diaz received from the New York Mets last offseason. 

Most teams aren't interested in paying top dollar for a closer, especially with how fickle bullpen arms can be. This may force Hader to take a smaller deal, which would likely benefit the rival Dodgers.

The Dodgers continue to be linked with Hader, and that would be awful for the Padres to see him land there. But so far, no deal has been reached. 

Before San Diego signed closer Yuki Matsui, there was minor thought of a reunion, but that ship has likely sailed. It'll be interesting to see where Hader ends up, and for how much as the offseason continues.