Dodgers Among 3 Teams ‘In-Play’ For All-Star Closer Josh Hader

When a club spends as much money as the Dodgers have this offseason, they get connected to pretty much every high-profile free agent. This year, free agent close Josh Hader has repeatedly been connected with Los Angeles.

The left-hander is coming off a tremendous 2023 season where he recorded 33 saves with a 1.28 ERA. Since the team doesn’t have a named closer, adding Hader to the mix does make some sense. But the biggest issue is the price that it would take.

Hader reportedly is looking for a larger contract than what Edwin Diaz received from the New York Mets a few seasons ago. He signed a 5-year, $102 million deal, and the Dodgers aren’t likely to shell that kind of money out on a reliever.

Recently, on CBS Sports, Jim Bowden of The Athletic linked the Dodgers, Rangers and Yankees to the elite closer.

All of these teams have a need at the back end of their bullpen. The Yankees primarily used Clay Holmes last year. The Rangers acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Royals to finish games, but he is now a free agent.

Since Kenley Jansen left the team back in 2021, the Dodgers deployed a “closer by committee” approach. Recently, Evan Phillips has pitched the ninth inning more than most, but some speculate the team would rather use Phillips in the “fireman” role as opposed to a traditional closer.

On talent alone, Hader would upgrade the bullpen. However, after reports came out that Hader only wants to pitch in save situations, he may not fit with the Dodgers philosophy in the bullpen.

Add to that the fact that president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman doesn’t like paying a premium for relievers. In 2016, he signed Kenley Jansen to a 5-year $80 million deal, and that deal proved the exception to the rule.

Hader likely wants more than Friedman is willing to give. Plus, the team seems content with their flexibility in the bullpen and their roles. It seems the Hader connection to L.A. may all be for nothing.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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