Houston, Texas – The Houston Astros are making moves to strengthen their bullpen as they hone in on signing free-agent closer Josh Hader. General Manager Dana Brown and Manager Joe Espada spoke highly of their current closer, Ryan Pressly, and emphasized the importance of including him in the decision-making process. The addition of Hader, a five-time All-Star with 153 saves since 2019, could potentially shift Pressly into a new role on the team.
Both Brown and Espada confirmed that Pressly fully supports the Astros’ pursuit of Hader. At the team’s annual FanFest, they discussed the potential impact of Hader’s arrival and how it aligns with their goal of improving the team. While the signing is pending Hader passing a physical, the Astros remain determined to enhance their roster.
Pressly, who has been Houston’s closer since 2020, has been a reliable presence in the bullpen. He is one of only four relievers to record over 100 saves during that time and has been an All-Star twice. With 90 saves over the past three seasons and a perfect record of 14-for-14 in save opportunities in the postseason, Pressly’s performance speaks for itself.
Espada praised Pressly as a professional and a team player who wants to win. According to Espada, Pressly expressed excitement about the addition of Hader and his potential to strengthen the team. Pressly, who is entering the final year of a two-year, $30 million contract, is highly regarded in the Astros clubhouse, known for his leadership and success in pivotal moments.
While Pressly did not grant interviews at FanFest, his teammates expressed their enthusiasm for bringing Hader on board. The combination of Hader, Pressly, and Bryan Abreu gives the Astros one of the most formidable back-end bullpen trios in baseball.
Espada indicated a preference for designated roles within the bullpen, including the closer position, but did not announce any decisions yet. The focus remains on the positive impact that Hader’s arrival will have on the team and the increased strength of the Astros’ bullpen.
Hader’s performance for the San Diego Padres in 2023 was exceptional, with a remarkable 1.28 ERA in 56 1/3 innings. He displayed dominance by limiting opposing hitters to a .163 average and a .224 slugging percentage. Although Hader’s strikeout rate in 2023 was his lowest since his rookie year, it still ranked in the 99th percentile of all pitchers in baseball.
Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. highlighted the human aspect of acquiring new players and praised Brown for his understanding of the game. McCullers expressed confidence that Pressly would embrace the opportunity to contribute to a championship team and emphasized Pressly’s dedication as a teammate.
As the Astros continue their pursuit of a World Series title, the addition of Josh Hader to their bullpen is seen as a significant step toward achieving that goal. With Ryan Pressly’s support and the enthusiasm of his teammates, the Astros are poised to build a stronger and more formidable team for the upcoming season.