The Houston Astros had lost Hector Neris to free agency, and were unlikely to re-sign him.
Then, in the last few days, the shoulder injury (and surgery) of Kendall Graveman was confirmed: he will miss the 2024 campaign.
Evidently, the Astros had to make something happen in the relief pitching market.
And boy, did they do it.
On Friday, they agreed to terms with All-Star closer Josh Hader on a five-year, $95 million deal.
It’s the largest contract ever given to a reliever in present value, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan explains.
“Josh Hader joins an Astros bullpen that already has an elite closer in Ryan Pressly. They’ll be the best 1-2 punch in the game. Hader’s deal for $95 million exceeds that of Edwin Díaz’s in present dollars. Deferrals took the value of Díaz’s $102.5 million deal to around $93.1M,” he tweeted.
Josh Hader joins an Astros bullpen that already has an elite closer in Ryan Pressly. They’ll be the best 1-2 punch in the game.
Hader’s deal for $95 million exceeds that of Edwin Díaz’s in present dollars. Deferrals took the value of Díaz’s $102.5 million deal to around $93.1M.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 19, 2024
Hader, who has a career 2.50 ERA and 648 strikeouts in 388.2 career innings, has been arguably the most consistently dominant relief pitcher since he embraced the role in 2017.
He had asked for Diaz money, and he got it.
Now, as Passan states, he will form the best 1-2 punch in the back end of a bullpen in 2024: Pressly had a 3.58 ERA and 37 saves in 2023.
However, you can add a third wheel and make it a trio if you include Bryan Abreu and his 1.75 ERA and 100 strikeouts this past season.
In any case, the acquisition of Hader dramatically increases the unit’s ceiling and floor.
He is an impact player and the Astros made a financial effort to secure his services.
NEXT: Astros Suddenly Have An Elite Bullpen Trio With Josh Hader