Star closer Josh Hader has signed a major five-year, $95 million contract with the Houston Astros, according to sources, making it the most lucrative deal ever for a relief pitcher in terms of present-day value. This move significantly bolsters a team that has consistently made deep playoff runs, having reached seven consecutive American League Championship Series.
BREAKING: Star closer Josh Hader and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a five-year, $95 million contract, a source tells ESPN.
The deal contains no deferrals. It is the largest present-day value contract for a relief pitcher in baseball history.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 19, 2024
Unlike some other high-value contracts, Hader’s deal doesn’t include any deferrals, solidifying his status as one of the game’s top relievers. In recent years, Edwin Diaz signed a five-year, $102 million deal with the New York Mets, but a significant portion of it was deferred, making its present-day value around $93 million.
Hader’s arrival in Houston comes as the Astros face the loss of Kendall Graveman, a key high-leverage reliever, for the entire 2024 season due to shoulder surgery. This addition will likely move Ryan Pressly, with 90 saves over the last three seasons, to the eighth-inning role, but Hader’s versatility allows him to handle various assignments if needed.
The Astros, who narrowly missed the World Series last season, will once again boast a formidable bullpen, including Bryan Abreu and Rafael Montero. This signing also prevents Hader from joining division rivals, as the Texas Rangers had shown interest in him throughout the offseason.
Hader, who spent time in the Astros’ minor league system earlier in his career, has earned All-Star honors in each of his five full MLB seasons and is widely regarded as one of the premier closers in the game. Since 2019, he leads the majors with 153 saves and 437 strikeouts among relievers.
The 29-year-old left-hander maintains an impressive 2.60 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP while relying on his devastating sinker-slider combination. His career strikeout rate of 15.0 per nine innings is a historical high among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched.
Hader’s journey included stints with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he played a pivotal role in their success, and a brief tenure with the San Diego Padres in 2022. Despite controversy surrounding his trade from the Brewers, he continued to excel, helping the Padres reach the NLCS and posting outstanding numbers in 2023.
While Hader initially showcased his ability to pitch multiple innings, recent seasons have seen him primarily used for shorter outings to avoid overexertion. It remains to be seen how this approach may evolve with his new contract.
His agreement with the Astros includes full no-trade protection and lacks opt-outs or options. Hader is set to earn $19 million annually, with the potential for an additional $1 million if he secures the Reliever of the Year Award, a title he has previously claimed three times.