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Report: Josh Hader, the closer, and the Astros reach a five-year, $95 million agreement
Josh Hader, a powerfully throwing relief pitcher, reached a deal with the Houston Astros on Friday for a five-year contract worth $95 million, according to a source familiar with the negotiations, as reported by The Associated Press.
The individual, who requested anonymity, disclosed that the agreement was contingent on a successful physical examination.
Hader is set to receive a $19 million annual salary over the next five seasons, with no deferred payments. The contract includes a complete no-trade clause, and he stands to earn a $1 million bonus if he wins the Mariano Rivera/Trevor Hoffman Reliever of the Year Award.
Although falling short of the total value of Edwin Díaz’s $102 million, five-year contract with the New York Mets that commenced last year, Hader’s deal is considered the most lucrative for a relief pitcher. Díaz’s contract involves $26.5 million in deferred payments not fully disbursed until 2042, valued at $93.2 million for baseball’s luxury tax and $88.8 million by the players’ association.
A 29-year-old with luxurious, flowing hair, Hader is making a return to the Astros organization, where he spent two years in their minor league system from mid-2013 to mid-2015. With his anticipated arrival, he is expected to assume the role of closer, leading to Ryan Pressly moving back to a setup position in a bullpen that also features Rafael Montero and Bryan Abreu.
Héctor Neris, who became a free agent, remains unsigned. Houston finalized the agreement just three days after announcing that reliever Kendall Graveman will be sidelined for the season due to right shoulder surgery.
Last fall, Hader became a free agent for the first time after rejecting a $20,325,000 qualifying offer from San Diego. The Padres had acquired him in a deadline trade from Milwaukee in 2022. Hader earned $14.1 million last year.
In the previous season, he recorded a 2-3 record with a remarkable 1.28 ERA, securing 33 saves out of 38 chances while making 61 appearances for San Diego. Throughout 56 1/3 innings, he struck out 85 batters and issued 30 walks. However, he had a disappointing debut season with the Padres, posting a 7.31 ERA and securing seven saves in 19 games towards the end of the season.
Hader has earned a spot on the National League All-Star team for the past five consecutive years, starting from 2018, which was his first full season in the majors. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, where no All-Star Game took place, Hader led the NL in saves with 13.
His overall career statistics include a 20-21 record with a 2.50 ERA, tallying 165 saves in 190 opportunities across 349 appearances with both the Brewers and Padres.
Originally from Maryland, Hader was selected in the 19th round of the 2012 amateur draft by Baltimore straight out of high school. However, he was traded to Houston a year later, and in 2015, he became part of a six-player deal that sent him to Milwaukee. Hader made his debut in the majors in June 2017 and finished that season with an impressive 2.08 ERA in 35 appearances.
As Hader declined a qualifying offer, San Diego will be awarded an additional pick in the upcoming July amateur draft, while Houston will lose a draft selection.
