Don Deal: Phillies’ has Free Agent Target Gets Huge Deal From American League Rival
The Philadelphia Phillies, who were interested in this best reliever at the proper price, have reached a megadeal with their American League rival.
The Philadelphia Phillies essentially had two areas that needed to be addressed heading into the summer.
Re-signing Aaron Nola or acquiring another elite arm would ensure that their starting rotation remains among the best in the league, and they would also improve their bullpen, which became a little shaky during last year’s postseason.
By signing Nola to a seven-year, $172 million contract, the Phillies were able to achieve their first objective, but the bullpen acquisitions are still to come.
A back-end arm to go with Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering was obviously needed when Craig Kimbrel left for the Baltimore Orioles this winter.
Josh Hader was seen to be a good fit.
Not only is he the finest closer in baseball, but he just finished a stellar season with the Padres, with 33 saves and an ERA of 1.28 in 61 appearances. In 2023, he was again chosen for his fifth All-Star game.
The left-hander’s purported goal of topping Edwin Diaz’s $102 million deal from the New York Mets to become the highest-paid closer in MLB history was the lone challenge for Philadelphia.
The connections to Hader dwindled as the Phillies committed to their largest salary in team history for the next season.
However, Dave Dombrowski probably would have been interested at the appropriate price.
It appeared Philadelphia might get a chance to strike while Hader lingered on the market.
But according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the great closer and the Houston Astros have reached an agreement on a five-year, $95 million deal.
He points out that because Diaz’s contract included deferrals that increased his worth to $93.1 million, Hader now holds the title of highest-paid closer based on present-day value.
The left-hander will now join the dominating Astros of the American League, who defeated the Phillies in the 2022 World Series thanks to a strong performance from their bullpen.
The left-hander will now join the dominating Astros of the American League, who defeated the Phillies in the 2022 World Series thanks to a strong performance from their bullpen.
