Despite an impressive Major League Baseball career, relief pitcher Josh Hader remains a free agent. He has been a five-time All-Star and three-time Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year in seven seasons.
His contract demands might be hampering his negotiations with other teams. As CBS Sports’ Jim Bowden said, Hader is looking for a more lucrative contract than New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz.
#MLBTonight reacts to new developments on the free agency market for Josh Hader pic.twitter.com/KitNg9U6Jv
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 28, 2023
For full context, Diaz signed a five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets last year, the richest contract signed by a relief pitcher. He had an injury-shortened 2023 season after opting for surgery on his torn right knee.
Meanwhile, Hader has credentials comparable to the three-time Reliever of the Year winner. He had a 1.28 earned run average in 56.1 innings for the San Diego Padres last season. He struck out 85 batters and surrendered only 32 hits. He also had a 1.101 WHIP and a 2.69 Fielding Independent Pitching.
Hader earned $14.1 million for his efforts last season. This time, he seeks a contract worth above $20.4 million annually.
Josh Hader started his career with the Milwaukee Brewers and became an All-MLB First Team member in 2021. A year later, the Brewers traded him to the San Diego Padres for Dinelson Lamet, Robert Gasser, Taylor Rodgers, and Esteury Ruiz.
Hader has a career 2.50 ERA and tallied 648 strikeouts out of 1,535 batters faced. While he had an impressive performance for San Diego last season, the Padres were out of playoff contention after finishing the season 82-80.
The team giving Hader a massive payday will acquire the MLB record holder for most consecutive strikeouts in a game with 16. He also owns the record for most consecutive hitless appearances and became the fastest player to collect 400 strikeouts. Hader also claims the MLB record for most consecutive saves to start a season (18).
-Lance Fernandez