The Milwaukee Brewers decided, on Monday, to trade All-Star closer Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres for a package of four players: fellow left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers, outfielder Esteury Ruiz, right-hander Dinelson Lamet, and a prospect.
They might have explored the price tag on a Hader extension and deemed it too high to pay, or perhaps they just wanted to maximize his trade value now before trading him next year as a rental.
However, the Brewers probably made the team weaker with the transaction, or at least that appears to be the case in the last couple of days.
On Thursday afternoon, they suffered a 5-4 walk-off loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Matt Bush suffered the loss, after Devin Williams threw a scoreless inning before him.
“The Milwaukee #Brewers blow a 10th inning lead and are swept by the #Pirates, their second walk-off loss in 24 hours. Yes, they badly miss four-time All-Star closer Josh Hader, who was traded to the San Diego Padres, believing they could win the NL Central without him. Maybe not,” MLB insider Bob Nightengale tweeted.
The Milwaukee #Brewers blow a 10th inning lead and are swept by the #Pirates, their second walk-off loss in 24 hours.
Yes, they badly miss four-time All-Star closer Josh Hader, who was traded to the San Diego Padres, believing they could win the NL Central without him.
Maybe not— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 4, 2022
Trading Hader Might Have Been A Mistake
It’s impossible to know for sure if Milwaukee made a mistake trading Hader; not until we see what kind of player Ruiz will become.
But as far as their 2022 chances go, it might have been the wrong move.
The Brewers have a narrow division lead, and they weakened their bullpen.
While Rogers is certainly good, he is no Hader.
And Williams allowed a walk-off home run to Bryan Reynolds on Wednesday, dealing the Brewers another crucial loss.
They say the closer role isn’t for everyone.
Williams, a top reliever, deserves a long look there, but he isn’t off to the best of starts
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