The three teams currently in contention for the signing of five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader are the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees, as reported by Jim Bowden of CBS Sports on December 28. Hader, seeking a contract surpassing Edwin Díaz’s five-year, $102 million deal with the New York Mets, has yet to receive such an offer. In the previous season with the San Diego Padres, Hader recorded a dominant 1.28 ERA and 33 saves, striking out 85 batters in 56.1 innings pitched.
While the Rangers, Dodgers, and Yankees have expressed interest in Hader, Bowden noted that all three teams prioritize acquiring or trading for a starting pitcher before finalizing a deal for a closer. Bowden mentioned that the Yankees would consider Hader if they can’t retain Jordan Montgomery, albeit not likely on a five-year contract like Díaz’s.
Hader, a three-time winner of the National League Reliever of the Year Award, has had a successful career since debuting with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017. After a trade to the San Diego Padres in 2022, Hader briefly struggled but regained his All-Star form in September 2022 and had an impressive 2023 season.
