This week’s post bag looks at the trade value of this Josh Hader again Aroldis Chapman and other charitable purposes, Raleigh‘s struggles and possible trade options for the Mariners, the Rays’ shortstop situation, and much more.
Adam asks:
The Astros are really bad and their season was already in the dumps before Correa’s injury. He is out for a year and they would be wise to trade everyone other than Alvarez. Josh Hader (currently injured) will have approximately $46 million and 2.5 years left on his deal when it is dealt at the deadline. He also has a no-trade clause and, again, is currently injured. Edwin Diaz he is the same age as Hader and just signed 3/67 this offseason and they are very comparable. In theory, if Hader had been a free agent this past winter, he probably would have gotten more money than he signed for so he would be good value, in theory. If he is open to raising his NTC, what will he fetch in the time limit?
Jeff asks:
I know early season trades are rare, but do you think the Red Sox would be willing to trade Chapman anytime soon? He has a good start to the season and not many games to spare in Boston. What do you think the Red Sox would want in return?
Mike asks:
Who will be the best closers sold in the last season?
I decided to put together all my reliever trading questions.
Hader, 32, made the All-Star team last year but his season ended in mid-August due to left shoulder strain. By the end of November he was expecting normal spring training, but then the biceps started to swell in February. He is on the IL for 60 days and is eligible to return to the Astros on May 24. The lefty has pitched three relief appearances so far. We have Statcast data for two of them, and he threw his sinker in the 94-95 mile per hour range. That’s not far below the 95.5 he averaged in his 25th season.
At the end of the season, Hader will be owed less than $45MM through 2028. And yes, you have a full no-trade clause. So he will have to be compensated to quit unless he wants out of Houston. Hader is a native of Maryland, so he might enjoy an East Coast team.
Hader should have more than two months to prove his fitness to the Astros before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. As a $19MM reliever coming off an injury, Hader’s trade value may be limited. Throw in his full NTC, and his market will be greatly diminished. He still has elite reliever potential and could be a huge asset in the postseason, but other contenders may not be able to get involved because of his salary and veto power.
For example, Hader would be a good fit with the Royals or Reds, but those teams would likely reject his deal even if he agreed to a trade. A larger market group may be a better fit. Which major market teams have at least a 40% shot at the playoffs right now? That list includes the Yankees, Braves, Phillies, Cubs, and Dodgers. The Yankees and Cubs stand out, and the former may hold the edge on the East Coast.
Open Subscriber Exclusive Articles Like This One For Front Office Subscription Trade Rumors
- Access weekly subscriber articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.
- Join the weekly live chats with Anthony.
- Remove ads and support our authors.
- Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker
