Free agency season has arrived, so until free agents start selecting their ultimate destinations and signing contracts, all we have to go on are rumors and educated guesses. Of the relievers, Josh Hader, who was formerly with the San Diego Padres, is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about free agents.
Hader’s name was bound to surface in relation to the City of Brotherly Love this offseason, since the Phillies are definitely in need of bullpen help.
Once more, one of the most active MLB insiders who seems to be here for eternity at this time of year is at it. In an interview with MLB Network’s Hot Stove, Jon Morosi listed the Phillies as one of the teams he believes have the best chance of acquiring Hader.
Phillies and Rangers both looking to shore up shaky bullpens
Despite one club failing in the National League Championship Series and the other having a recently won championship to cling to, Morosi puts the World Series-winning Texas Rangers and the Phillies in the same group. Both clubs had dubious bullpen efforts, but the Phillies’ collapse in the relief corps is somewhat more obvious given the outcome.
“I think one thing is really interesting that we saw even among the teams that played deep into October, and indeed even the one that won it all in the Texas Rangers, they had some bullpen questions,” an insider with the MLB Network stated. “So I’m going to go straight to those teams that are either trying to repeat as World Series champions, like the Rangers, or get there like the Phillies.”
Everyone is aware of the events that transpired in the NLCS, wherein the bullpen—more especially, Craig Kimbrel—won two games in Arizona. The team’s renewed search for dependable bullpen arms and Kimbrel’s departure from Philadelphia in free agency were virtually inevitable as a result of those poor performances.
“When you consider the struggles of Craig Kimbrel and the overall lack of reliable bullpen innings they had late in those games in the NLCS,” Morosi stated. “I look at both the Rangers and Phillies as strong candidates to sign Josh Hader.”
Hader, meanwhile, had yet another outstanding season even though he was a member of the disappointing Padres. After finishing the season with 33 saves, a 1.28 ERA, and 85 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings, he was selected for his fifth All-Star Game.
It is unclear if the Phillies are content to work with a flexible bullpen or would prefer to sign a true “closer” despite the fact that the 29-year-old right-hander is without a doubt the best relief pitcher available.