The Chicago Cubs are considering a number of trades this winter, and the media has learned president Jed Hoyer’s thoughts on Josh Hader, who is now the finest relief pitcher available.
Cubs insider Sahadev Sharma, writing for The Athletic, states that Josh Hader is still available via free agency. However, until his price in both cash and years drops drastically, this front office will not find value in this move. “As Hoyer made clear, he prefers to build through deliberate, astute decisions and dislikes multiyear contracts given to relievers. Hader represents the furthest thing Hoyer wishes to stay away from.
The most recent information from the front office is that Hader, an electrifying left-hander who is regarded as the best closer in all of baseball, won’t be joining the Cubs, despite fans’ wishes to the contrary.
Regarding his performance on the field, Hader is an extremely significant asset to any squad. He has pitched for a 2.50 ERA, 648 strikeouts, and 165 saves in seven big league seasons. He has also made five All-Star teams and been nominated for Cy Young.
Despite a little decline in output in 2022, he posted an excellent 1.28 ERA in the previous season and is now apparently aiming to become the highest-paid reliever in history. That would imply going above and above the $102 million over five-year agreement Edwin Díaz signed with the New York Mets in 2022.
However, the Cubs don’t seem to be interested in making such a big commitment to one of baseball’s riskier positions.
According to Sharma, “they see that kind of move as the finishing touch on a roster that’s fully built out.”As of this writing, there is no official word on Hader’s potential contract with the Houston Astros, despite recent claims to the contrary.
It’s generally anticipated that the Cubs will make some bigger moves this winter, even though they appear to be out on Hader. The team would prefer to welcome back free-agent slugger Cody Bellinger, according to Hoyer. Additionally, first baseman Rhys Hoskins might be added soon.
It also appears that even after getting Yency Almonte in a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cubs will probably still look to add bullpen depth beyond Hader.
Sharma stated, “The Cubs are searching for another high-leverage arm to pair with Adbert Alzolay and Julian Merryweather in the late innings. Names to watch are Robert Stephenson, Phil Maton, David Robertson, and Ryne Stanek.”
Given that the Cubs are perceived by ESPN’s Buster Olney as the team ready to make “the most impactful moves the rest of the off-season” according to a “high-ranking evaluator,” it is feasible that a larger deal is still in the cards for them as well.
It remains to be seen if it entails bringing back Bellinger, bringing in Hoskins, adding to the depth of the bullpen, or pulling off an unexpected blockbuster for any of the bigger names still available, like as Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Jordan Montgomery, or others.
