When the Milwaukee Brewers traded Josh Hader in 2022, it was easily one of the most unpopular moves in the history of the franchise. With more than a year remaining of club control, then President of Baseball Operations David Stearns decided to trade Hader to the San Diego Padres for Taylor Rogers and prospects. It was a trade that shocked the clubhouse, a shock that many of the players did not recover from that season.
By his standards, Hader was not having the best year in 2022. While he had 29 saves with the Brewers at the time of the trade, he had an ERA of 4.24. Hader struggled after the trade, too. In his first half season with the Padres, he posted a 7.31 ERA and notched seven saves in 19 games.
However, Hader was back to being one of the best closers in baseball last season, posting a miniscule 1.28 ERA (the second-lowest of his career) and saving 33 games. His dominating performance all season proved what the Brewers, and everyone else, knew to be true: he was going to garner a big payday once he hit free agency.
Former Milwaukee Brewers Closer Josh Hader Signs with the Houston Astros
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Hader has agreed to a five-year contract with the Houston Astros. The deal is worth $95 million, or $19 million per year. It is the largest contract for a relief pitcher in MLB history:
BREAKING: Star closer Josh Hader and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a five-year, $95 million contract, a source tells ESPN.
The deal contains no deferrals. It is the largest present-day value contract for a relief pitcher in baseball history.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 19, 2024
Brewers fans may remember that Hader was originally acquired by Milwaukee from Houston back in 2015. In that trade, Hader, Adrian Houser, Domingo Santana, and Brett Phillips were sent to the Brewers in exchange for Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers.
Hader was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 19th round of the 2012 amateur draft. The Astros traded for him the next year in exchange for Bud Norris.
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