In an impressive blockbuster, the Padres have agreed to acquire All-Star shortstop Josh Hader from the Brewers, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan ( Twitter link ). The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported a few minutes ago that the Brewers were closing in on a deal with Hader.
The Padres are sending their own closer, Taylor Rogers, to Milwaukee back in the deal, Passan added. Milwaukee will also acquire right-hander Dinelson Lamet, pitching prospect Robert Gasser and infield prospect Esteury Ruiz.
It’s a big hit for the Padres, and while it’s a real surprise to see Milwaukee move in while holding a three-game lead in the National League Central, the reasoning behind the trade is pretty simple. Hader’s $11 million salary figures to jump north of $15 million next season in his final year in control of the club, and a generally budget-conscious Brewers club may not be willing to to devote $15-17 million to a single reliever when that represents such a significant portion of the overall payroll.
The Brewers, of course, could have held onto Hader in the winter and made him available at the time, but the allure of landing Hader for multiple postseason pushes undeniably allowed them to seek a higher price right now. To that end, they are acquiring a high-end closer in Rogers, who, like Hader, has struggled of late but has an excellent track record spanning multiple seasons. Milwaukee also adds a high-octane arm in Lamet, though he’s been plagued by injuries, and two of the Padres’ top ten prospects in Gasser and Ruiz, which breathes much-needed life into a farm system that isn’t seen as a especially strong
It’s the kind of trade we’re used to seeing smaller payroll clubs like the Rays and Rangers make on a regular basis: cashing in the trade value of a coveted player when he has several seasons of club control, while simultaneously fill that spot on the list with other greats. league help It’s an immediate downgrade from the overall roster, but this kind of simultaneous buying and selling has been one of the keys to keeping Tampa Bay, Cleveland and even Milwaukee competitive even though they rarely can spend the top of the category. market money
More to come.