Houston, Texas – The Houston Astros have made a significant move in the offseason to strengthen their bullpen. According to a source, the team has reached an agreement with free-agent relief pitcher Josh Hader on a lucrative five-year, $95 million contract, pending a physical. The deal has yet to be officially announced by the Astros.
Hader, a left-handed pitcher, is returning to the Astros organization where he previously earned the title of Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2014. He was later traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015. This signing comes after the Astros lost veteran reliever Kendall Graveman for the season due to shoulder surgery.
The Astros bullpen took a hit with the departure of Hector Neris, Phil Maton, and Ryne Stanek, who all became free agents after contributing 185 relief innings last season. However, the addition of Hader will complement the existing talented arms in the Astros’ bullpen, including Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu.
Astros owner Jim Crane expressed his optimism about the team’s enhanced bullpen, stating, “With Pressly and Abreu [and Hader], you have three quality guys, 7-8-9, wherever they pitch. We think it gives us a nice chance to get to the playoffs and make a run at another World Series.”
Under the terms of the contract, Hader will earn $19 million per season, without any opt-outs or club options. This $95 million agreement surpasses the present-day value of Edwin Díaz’s $102 million deal with the Mets. Additionally, Hader’s contract includes a full no-trade clause and a bonus for winning the Reliever of the Year Award.
Known as one of MLB’s top left-handed relievers, Hader enjoyed a stellar 2023 season with the San Diego Padres, where he recorded a 1.28 ERA in 56 1/3 innings. Despite a slight dip in strikeout rate compared to previous years, Hader remained one of the most durable relievers in the league, saving 33 games and appearing in 61 games.
Hader’s pitching repertoire includes a powerful sinker and an effective slider. His impressive Statcast metrics, such as expected wOBA and expected batting average, place him among the elite in MLB. However, Hader did struggle with walks, allowing a career-high walk rate in 2023.
With this high-profile signing, the Astros have bolstered their bullpen with a dominant left-handed arm. Hader’s presence alongside Pressly and Abreu will provide a formidable relief corps as the Astros aim for another deep postseason run.