Josh Hader Seeking Record-Breaking Deal For A Reliever
11 months agoThe consensus in the industry is that left-handed closer Josh Hader wants to exceed the five-year, $102 million deal the New York Mets gave Edwin Diaz in November of 2022, even though Hader is entering his age-30 season and is a year older than Diaz was. But Hader has better numbers with a 2.50 career ERA and a 42.2 percent career strikeout rate. Hader also had a lower ERA in his platform season (1.28), even with a career-high 13 percent walk rate. Diaz was coming off a season in which he recorded the second-highest rate of strikeouts per nine innings in major-league history when he signed his deal. His contract also includes $26.5 million in deferrals. It means that Hader and his agent, Jeff Barry, don't need to exceed the $102 million to say they beat Diaz for the richest contract for a reliever.
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal