4. Josh Hader
There have been rumors circulating that the Milwaukee Brewers are actively attempting to trade their All-Star closer, Josh Hader. If the rumors are true, the Red Sox could be open to pursuing a trade with the Brewers. Given that Hader is only scheduled to make $4.6 million next season, he provides the Red Sox with a low-cost option at closer who helps them remain within their salary cap conscious state.
In 2017 and 2018, Hader was one of the best relief pitchers in baseball for the Brewers. As a rookie, he struck out 68 batters in 47 2/3 innings, while pitching to a 2.08 earned run average and 0.99 WHIP. He would improve upon those numbers in 2018 by putting together a season that had him mentioned in Cy Young voting, amassing an eye-popping 143 strikeouts in just 81 1/3 innings. In addition, Hader would go 6-1 with 12 saves and have a 2.43 ERA and 0.81 WHIP.
In 2019, Hader would take over the role as the closer for Milwaukee, following injuries to Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress. Hader would pitch 75 2/3 innings, strike out 138 batters, record 38 saves, have an ERA of 2.62 and a WHIP of 0.81. Those numbers are extremely respectable for a closer. However, he would struggle with the home run ball and would serve up 15 homers on the year. Those home runs were the direct result of most of Hader’s seven blown saves on the season.
If the Red Sox feel that the Hader’s homer prone season was an aberration, they may look to trade for him and insert him in the closer role. He certainly has the ability to generate swings-and-misses from opposing batters, while limiting baserunners. Boston could certainly do worse than having someone of the elite caliber of Hader as their closer. Whether the Red Sox have a good enough package of prospects and the desire to part with them will be the primary questions in regards to acquiring him from the Brewers.