Free agency began November 6th and the Phillies have yet to make a free agent signing. The good news is it’s only November 10th, which means there is still plenty of time to sign players. The longer time goes on, the more names get added to the big board.
The last name added to the big board was NPB superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Next up is the #1 closer on the market and #3 on my big board. If you couldn’t tell, I believe pitching should be the #1 priority for the Phillies this offseason.
Josh Hader
If you mention the name “Josh Hader” to the Philadelphia fanbase, you will undoubtedly be met with a sly grin or even a laugh. His 2022 season triggers fond memories for everyone. He was the pitcher on the mound in Philadelphia when Kyle Schwarber got ejected after arguing one of the several bad calls made by Angel Hernandez. He was also the pitcher who allowed back-to-back home runs to Alec Bohm and Matt Vierling in the 9th in Milwaukee after not allowing any earned runs since early in 2021.
If those don’t ring a bell, Hader was the dominant pitcher in the bullpen for San Diego who somehow wasn’t sent in to pitch to Bryce Harper in the 8th inning of the 2022 NLCS. We all know what Bryce did there.
When he was traded to San Diego at last year’s deadline, Josh Hader was not himself. It was as if a switch had been flipped and he went from dominant closer to a guaranteed blown save, then loss for the Padres. He had allowed just three less runs as a Padre than he did as a Brewer that season with half the amount of innings pitched, sporting a 7.31 ERA while doing so.
The 29-year-old seemed to redeem himself rather well during the 2023 season. His 1.28 ERA in 56 innings pitched is the second and fourth best of his career respectively. He had a great bounce-back season just as he hits free agency and will make any team’s bullpen significantly stronger, especially the team in Philly.
Concerns?
Because I believe it would have to be a multi-year deal to acquire the former 19th-round pick, the concern will be the ability to continue the pure dominance he has. Closers don’t always retain the dominance of the year prior.
Am I concerned about this specifically with Josh Hader? No, not really.
Leaving out 2022, the worst year of his career, the lefty closer has been very consistent in the seven years he’s been in the big leagues. His 2022 season looks to be more of an outlier than it is what’s to come for his future team.
Are the Phillies a likely landing spot?
Not only do I believe the Phillies are a likely landing spot, I believe he’ll be closing out the game on Opening Day. Hader going into the ninth inning after Jose Alvarado shuts down the eighth sounds like a fever dream, but it is absolutely possible. John Middleton has said “The only reason to own a sports team is to win. And nobody gives a rat’s (behind) whether I make money or not. Or whether I lose money. They don’t care.” He has done a phenomenal job in backing that statement up thus far, and it’s time to continue it by signing the best closer available.
Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
