When the Milwaukee Brewers traded Josh Hader in 2022, it marked one of the most unpopular decisions in the franchise’s history. Despite having over a year of control remaining, then-President of Baseball Operations David Stearns opted to send Hader to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Taylor Rogers and several prospects. The unexpected trade had a profound impact on the team’s morale, and many players struggled to recover during that season.
In 2022, Hader was experiencing a subpar year based on his own standards. Despite accumulating 29 saves with the Brewers at the time of the trade, his ERA stood at 4.24. The challenges persisted after joining the Padres, where he recorded a 7.31 ERA and secured seven saves in 19 games during the first half-season.
Nevertheless, Hader made a remarkable comeback in the subsequent season, reestablishing himself as one of the premier closers in baseball. He achieved an impressive 1.28 ERA, the second-lowest of his career, and saved 33 games. His outstanding performance throughout the season confirmed what the Brewers and others had recognized: Hader was destined for a significant payday once he entered free agency.
Former Milwaukee Brewers Closer Josh Hader Signs with the Houston Astros
Brewers fans may recollect that Josh Hader was initially acquired by Milwaukee from Houston in 2015. The trade involved Hader, Adrian Houser, Domingo Santana, and Brett Phillips moving to the Brewers in exchange for Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers.
Hader’s baseball journey began when he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 19th round of the 2012 amateur draft. Subsequently, the Astros traded for him the following year, parting ways with Bud Norris in the process. This marked the beginning of Hader’s association with the Astros before eventually becoming a key player for the Brewers.
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