Josh Hader, presumably the highest-profile free agent nonetheless accessible on the MLB market, is reportedly in search of extra money than golf equipment assume he’s price and holding up the offseason consequently.
“Hader continues to seek for a deal of his liking, although with every passing day, it seems his possibilities of surpassing the five-year, $102 million contract Edwin Díaz signed with the Mets final yr change into much less doubtless,” in keeping with MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Diaz is at present the report holder for the highest-paid reliever in MLB historical past and Feinsand reported that Hader is concentrated on incomes that title for himself this offseason. On paper, Hader has motive to consider he could make historical past, although it’s a detailed name.
In seven main league seasons, Hader has racked up 165 saves and 648 strikeouts. He has a profession 2.50 ERA however that determine was a dominant 1.28 final season after a workhorse’s 56.1 innings.
In the meantime, Díaz — who is similar age as Hader with as many seasons below his belt — sports activities a profession 2.93 ERA with a complete of 205 saves and 657 strikeouts. Earlier than signing his record-setting deal, Díaz was coming off of a 1.31 ERA season, however then he tore his patellar tendon whereas celebrating a win with Puerto Rico’s World Baseball Traditional group and missed all of final season.
Hader’s agent would additionally level out that the worth of MLB contracts goes up yearly and the identical manufacturing on paper might warrant extra money in 2024 than it did in 2022.
Hader is likely to be blocking different MLB offseason strikes
As Tougher holds out for a historic contract, he is likely to be jamming up the remainder of the free-agent market.
“I believe the Hader domino must fall first,” an nameless Nationwide League govt instructed Feinsand. “I can’t see every other motive the market is gradual for them. Generally these guys on the prime can maintain up all the pieces.”
With rising hesitancy from massive league golf equipment to put money into famous person relievers and a plethora of cheaper choices nonetheless accessible — together with Hector Neris, Robert Stephenson and Aroldis Chapman — followers may need to attend some time longer earlier than seeing the logjam clear.
Jon Heyman has reported that “nothing is imminent” on a brand new deal for Hader.
