Josh Hader agrees to monster deal with top contender

Aug 2, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Josh Hader (71) walks off the field after defeating the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Hader has officially secured his bag (and then some).

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported Friday that the free-agent closer Hader has agreed to a monster deal with the Houston Astros. Hader is getting a five-year contract worth $95 million. The deal is the largest present-day value contract for a reliever in MLB history, Passan adds.

Chandler Rome of The Athletic adds that Hader’s deal contains no deferrals as well as a full no-trade clause.

The lefty Hader is already a five-time All-Star and a former NL saves leader. He was sublime last season for the San Diego Padres, posting a 1.28 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 56.1 innings pitched. Hader is still only hitting his peak at 29 years old too, factoring into why he was able to land such a rich deal.

After losing in the ALCS last season, the Astros are clearly re-tooling in a huge way. They were already linked to Hader earlier this week and have now found a great way of filling in for the reliever that they just recently lost for the whole 2024 season. Hader will also now create a formidable two-headed monster in Houston with current Astros closer Ryan Pressly.