Astros Lock In Star Closer Hader with 5-Year Deal

 Big news in Houston as the Astros make a major move to address a crucial gap in their roster. On Friday, they reportedly sealed the deal with free-agent All-Star relief pitcher Josh Hader, agreeing to a hefty five-year, $95 million contract pending a physical, according to a source who spilled the beans to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. As of now, the team hasn't officially spilled the beans on the agreement.

Hader, a southpaw, is making a comeback to the Astros, where he earned the title of the club’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year back in 2014. However, he got traded to the Brewers in 2015, a deal that brought Carlos Gómez and Mike Fiers to Houston. This new agreement comes hot on the heels of the Astros losing veteran reliever Kendall Graveman for the season due to right shoulder surgery.

The Astros' bullpen took a hit with Hector Neris, Phil Maton, and Ryne Stanek hitting free agency after collectively throwing 185 innings in relief last year. The addition of Hader now gives the Astros a formidable back end, teaming up with Ryan Pressly, who racked up an impressive 90 saves over the past three seasons, and the dominant setup man Bryan Abreu.

Astros owner Jim Crane expressed his optimism, saying, “We think we have a good team, and it adds a big piece to the back of our bullpen. With Pressly and Abreu [and Hader], you have three quality guys, 7-8-9, wherever they pitch. We think it gives us a nice chance to get to the playoffs and make a run at another World Series."

According to Feinsand, Hader's new contract will have him earning $19 million per season, with no opt-outs or club options. The total value of $95 million even surpasses the present-day worth of Edwin Díaz's $102 million deal with the Mets signed last winter, which was $93.2 million after deferrals.

Hader's contract includes a full no-trade clause and a bonus if he snags the Reliever of the Year Award, named after Mariano Rivera in the American League. However, there's a catch – Houston will have to forfeit a pick in the 2024 MLB Draft because Hader turned down a qualifying offer from San Diego.

Considered one of MLB’s top left-handed relievers, Hader boasts five career NL All-Star selections. He hit the free-agent market on a high note, bouncing back from a shaky 2022 with a stellar 2023 campaign for the Padres. In that season, he flaunted a remarkable 1.28 ERA in 56 1/3 innings, limiting hitters to a mere .163 average and a paltry .224 slugging percentage. While his strikeout rate dipped a bit, it still ranked in the 99th percentile in MLB.

Despite a tough 2022, Hader has proven to be a reliable late-inning option throughout his career, saving 33 games for the Padres in 2023. His durability is evident, having pitched 50 or more innings in every full season since 2018, except for 2020 when the world went topsy-turvy with COVID-19.

Hader's excellence is reflected in various Statcast metrics, placing him among MLB's elite. His expected wOBA and batting average in 2023 ranked him among the top players. However, he did grapple with walks, allowing a career-high 13.0% walk rate.

After a shaky 2022, Hader's resurgence in 2023 solidified his position as a gem in the free-agent reliever class, and at 29, one of the youngest on the market. The Astros seem to have made a smart move, securing a key player for their bullpen as they eye another shot at t

he World Series.