Josh Hader Makes Sense for the Dodgers, Says MLB Network Insider
In light of the Dodgers’ $1.2 billion offseason spending spree, many around the baseball industry are wondering where the team goes next. They brought in two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to head up the designated hitter spot and added to their starting rotation with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow.
The front office has turned a weakness back into a strength pitching-wise, but the team isn’t done yet. They are monitoring the market for at least one right-handed bat, but it seems they also may be looking into adding to their bullpen.
The Dodgers have been heavily linked with All-Star free agent closer Josh Hader in recent weeks, and the talks have grown louder. Hader is looking for a big contract. So far, the market hasn’t stretched to reach his asking price.
The 29-year-old left-hander reportedly wants a deal larger than the 5-year, $102 million contract that Edwin Diaz signed with the New York Mets last offseason. The Dodgers historically have never spent that much on a relief pitcher. Perhaps if the market continues to be lacking for Hader, they would consider entering negotiations on their terms.
Will Leitch of MLB Network believes that the Dodgers make sense for Hader as a landing spot. A five-time All-Star, Hader would upgrade any team’s bullpen and give them a trusted arm at the end of games.
“It does make a certain amount of sense for the Dodgers…”
Hader was brilliant for the San Diego Padres last season, posting an ERA of 1.28 and a WHIP of 1.10 over 61 appearances. He recorded 33 saves for the Padres, and the Dodgers could certainly use a true closer.
If they were to land Hader, it would likely send reliever Evan Phillips back into his setup role. Phillips was equally successful in the eighth and ninth innings last season, but Hader is unlikely to sign anywhere without assurance of being a team’s ninth-inning closer.
“But certainly, if they’re this motivated to keep going, why not go get Hader? They certainly could use him.”
The Dodgers’ bullpen was great at the end of last season, so they don’t necessarily need Hader. But he would be an upgrade, and this would follow the path of going all-in from this offseason.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has been hesitant in the past, to shell out large free agent contracts for relievers, but Hader could be an exception. He has been one of the best closers in baseball for years and could be the missing piece that L.A. needs to help them win another World Series.
Photo Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
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Please sign Hader! He would make our bull pin dominate! Go for it Dodgers!!!!
Better off trading for 25 year old Emmanuel Clase than giving a 4-5 year deal to soon to be 30 year old Hader, as good as he is. Plus Dodgers first need another solid starter and the above mentioned righty bat.
Makes absolutely No Sense
Stick to your guns, Friedman. Hader would be a killer move, but I read that he said he only wants to pitch in save situations. The Ds have been using relievers in all kinds of situations, and the acceptance of multiple roles by the bullpen has been one of the things that made the Ds successful. If he has an attitude like that, he would be poison. He had 33 saves for the monks, but they didn’t win. They did not play as a team.
The Dodgers will not pay Josh Hader 20 million a year for one inning of work when used. That is a ridiculous amount of money for five years. So that means the Mets will probably sign him. I would rather they traded for Shane Bieber or Emmanuel Clase, who by the way is only 26 (Hader will be 30 in April) and still has three years of team control. I’d give up Busch, Vargas, Stone and a throw in, maybe Margot to get Clase. (some of these guys need to be traded before their “best by” date expires.) Clase would come a lot cheaper when its time to sign him to an extension or new contract. Hader is just a tad bit greedy…
Hey Big Blue, I hope someone in the organization comes upon your post; I so agree with you. We can’t use ALL these young ones and should use them while they’re a “hot iron”. And anyone who’ll only come in if it’s a save situation for 1 inning and want 20 M per year sounds like a “me first’ guy….bad vibes.
C’mon Dodgers, do the smart thing. and….GO BLUE!
The Dodgers could use a dominant lefty in the bullpen, and for that matter, the starting rotation as well. In my book, that means acquiring both Hader and Imamura.
No Hader, he’s a team hater
Go for Clase who has some class
Nolan Arenado would be prrfect