The Milwaukee Brewers are in first place in the National League Central Division and are on pace to make their fifth straight post-season appearance. Typically, this situation would make the Brewers so-called “buyers” at the trade deadline. However, Milwaukee is also in a unique situation when it comes to four-time All-Star closer Josh Hader. The three-time NL Relief Pitcher of the Year will be entering his final season of arbitration in 2023. The Brewers will not be able (or willing) to pay Hader what he is worth. As a result, as USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote, the Brewers have notified other teams that they will listen to trade offers for Josh Hader.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Have Emerged as the Most Likely Trade Partner
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel has been struggling mightily this season. The eight-time All-Star is 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.47 WHIP to go along with 15 saves. The Dodgers, one of the favorites to win the World Series, are very interested in upgrading the closer position, and who better to trade for than Josh Hader. The Dodgers also have some intriguing prospects who may interest the Brewers.
The Dodgers’ Top Prospects
- Diego Cartaya (catcher): MLB’s #13 overall prospect, Dodgers’ #1 prospect
- 2022 stats (A+): .269/.410/.944, 14 home runs, 48 RBI
- Bobby Miller (right-handed pitcher): MLB’s #26 overall prospect; Dodgers’ #2 prospect
- 2022 stats (AA): 4-3, 4.12 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 82 strikeouts in 67.2 innings
- Michael Busch (first base/second base): MLB’s #42 overall prospect; Dodgers’ #3 prospect
- 2022 stats (AA-AAA): .277/.368.555, 21 home runs, 64 RBI
- Andy Pages (outfielder): MLB’s #47 overall prospect; Dodgers’ #4 prospect
- 2022 stats (AA): .243/.353/.469, 15 home runs, 48 RBI
- Miguel Vargas (infielder): MLB’s #70 overall prospect; Dodgers’ #5 prospect
- 2022 (AAA): .296/.387/.497, 13 home runs, 61 RBI
- Ryan Pepiot (right-handed pitcher): MLB’s #75 overall prospect; Dodgers’ #6 prospect
- 2022 (AAA): 7-0. 2.35 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 83 strikeouts in 61.1 innings; 1-0, 2.76, 1.35 WHIP in four starts with Dodgers
Why Would the Brewers Trade Josh Hader Now?
In addition to not being able to afford Josh Hader once he hits free agency, the Milwaukee Brewers feel like they are in a good situation to win even without Hader on the roster. Devin Williams is among the most elite relievers in all of baseball. In fact, he is the only other relief pitcher, besides Hader himself, to win the NL Reliever of the Year Award in the past four seasons.
The other thing to keep in mind when discussing when Josh Hader will be traded is that he loses value the longer the Brewers hold onto him. Of course, the Brewers may wait until the offseason to trade Hader. As Nightengale admits, they “love” having him on their team. However, the return the team would get by trading Hader THIS season would be greater than if they were to wait until the offseason. The Dodgers boast six prospects in MLB’s top-100. As much as fans may not like to admit it, that makes them the ideal trade partner.
Related: Hypothetical trade would send Brewers closer Josh Hader to the Cleveland Guardians
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