MLB Rumors: The free agent market is currently in a weird spot where there is not a lot of action happening. There also have been teams that have not spent a penny in free agency (on major league deals) in which one National League central team that was in headlines earlier in the offseason is one of them. That team is the Chicago Cubs.
After prying away manager Craig Counsell from the Milwaukee Brewers the Cubs have been quiet in free agency. They were rumored to be pursuing Shohei Ohtani, but he has since signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Having missed out on Ohtani they could be turning their attention to the reliever market in which a Craig Counsell-Josh Hader reunion could be in the works.
Former Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres closer Josh Hader has been linked to the Chicago Cubs by an MLB Insider (MLB Rumors).
In Robert Murray’s latest MLB Insiders show he discussed what he is hearing about the Cubs. One thing he mentioned is that he is under the impression that Craig Counsell likes Josh Hader and that Hader likes Counsell. With Chicago in need of another reliever this could present an opportunity for them to make a splash in free agency.
Contract wise Robert Murray still believes that he is going to get a record setting deal. There currently is not a lot of buzz regarding his market, but that could change quickly.
“That contract (Josh Hader’s future contract), when all is all said will end up exceeding with Edwin Diaz got in his deal with the Mets. I could see a deal, similar to last year, with more years on it to lessen the AAV. (average annual value).”
This is not the first time that a Craig Counsell and Josh Hader reunion has been in the rumor mill. Jon Morosi spoke out on this possibility and their familiarity on MLB Network before thanksgiving.
“Which manager in Major League Baseball knows how to get the best out of Josh Hader? Hmm, the guy who now manages just down the road from Milwaukee, where he was so successful for so many years, in Craig Counsell.”
The full video of Robert Murray’s latest MLB Insider show can be found by clicking below in which he essentially echoed Morosi’s thoughts.
&
Follow me on Twitter @tylerkoerth. Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great sports content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!. We cover the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers, and Wisconsin High School Sports. Additionally we provide the latest news coverage on the NFL, MLB, and NBA
