Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Josh Hader. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)
The Milwaukee Brewers are rumored to be listening to calls on star closer Josh Hader as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
The Brewers are sitting at the top of the NL Central but they’re coming into the final stage before the trade deadline willing to sell at least one All-Star.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Milwaukee is “listening to overtures” for closer Josh Hader. Jon Heyman reported the same.
That doesn’t mean the team is pushing a move. Both reporters made that clear. They’re open to offers it seems.
Brewers trade rumors: Josh Hader on the trade block
“The conversations might be little more than due diligence. But as the Brewers head toward their fifth straight postseason appearance, their motivation to trade Hader might be increasing,” Rosenthal wrote.
Hader was an All-Star for the fourth time this year, so why are the Brewers open to trading him?
Rosenthal cited three reasons: Hader’s salary is going to increase to $16 million in arbitration next year, he doesn’t want to appear in more than one inning at a time and Devin Williams looks like a perfect in-house replacement.
Moreover, Hader has struggled over the past month. His ERA in the last 28 days is 12.54. If the Brewers don’t move him now, and he continues to struggle, he could be a liability in the postseason and significantly lower his future trade value.
Trading Hader would mean the right offer came in, of course. Rosenthal said they would need to get a desired hitter or a package of young players who could fill needs in return.