MLB’s arms race: Brewers deal closer Josh Hader to the Padres for fellow southpaw Taylor Rogers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline as clubs rush to finalize bullpens for playoff push
- The Padres reportedly acquired Brewers closer Josh Hader for four players
- Veteran closer Taylor Rogers and starter Robert Gasser are going to Milwaukee
- Hader is eligible for salary arbitration after the season, which means his time in San Diego could be brief unless the Padres are willing to make sign him to a deal
In what may be the first of several major trades involving top-level relievers, the San Diego Padres have acquired Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader for four players ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
The price for Hader, a four-time All-Star, wasn’t cheap: Veteran closer Taylor Rogers, pitching prospect Robert Gasser, outfielder Esteury Ruiz and right-hander Dinelson Lamet are all headed to Milwaukee.
One potential downside to the deal for San Diego is Hader’s contract situation. The 28-year-old southpaw is eligible for arbitration next season after earning $11 million for the 2022 campaign. Unless San Diego is prepared to re-sign Hader, he might just be a rental for the Padres.
In what may be the first of several major trades involving top-level relievers, the San Diego Padres have reportedly acquired Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader (pictured) for four players ahead of Tuesday’s deadline
The price for Hader, a four-time All-Star, wasn’t cheap: Veteran closer Taylor Rogers (pictured), pitching prospect Robert Gasser, outfielder Esteury Ruiz and right-hander Dinelson Lamet are all headed to Milwaukee
For 2022, Hader’s stats are only a small improvement on Rogers’. The former boasts an MLB-leading 29 saves, while his ERA has ballooned to a career-worst 4.34 in 2022.
Similarly, Rogers, another lefty, has 28 saves and a 4.35 earned-run average.
However, Hader does have history on his side, given his impressive career ERA (2.48) solid strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.6 to 1).
Dinelson Lamet has struggled with elbow injuries in recent years, and has an abysmal 9.49 ERA in 13 relief appearances this season
Hader was made expendable by the resurgence of right-handed reliever Devin Williams, who has pitched 30 consecutive scoreless innings this year.
Rogers, whose twin brother Tyler pitches for the San Francisco Giants, was an All-Star for the Minnesota Twins last season before being dealt to San Diego before the start of the 2022 campaign.
Lamet has struggled with elbow injuries in recent years, and has an abysmal 9.49 ERA in 13 relief appearances this season.
Gaser, a 23-year-old former second-round pick, is currently pitching in Class-A, where he’s posted a 4.18 ERA.
Ruiz debuted for the Padres in July and has since hit .222 in 14 games.
The second-place Padres (57-46) currently have a slight edge on the Phillies for one of two National League wildcard spots.
Meanwhile the Brewers (57-45) hold a three-game lead on the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.
Esteury Ruiz (pictured) debuted for the Padres in July and has since hit .222 in 14 games