Blockbuster Deal Completed: All-Star Closer Josh Hader Heads To West Coast

The rumors began again overnight, that the Milwaukee Brewers were actually considering trading 4-time All-Star closer Josh Hader. That's now come to fruition, as the San Diego Padres have sent a huge package to Milwaukee to land him.

The return on Josh Hader to Milwaukee is significant: left-handed closer Taylor Rogers, lefty pitching prospect Robert Gasser, outfielder Esteury Ruiz and right-hander Dinelson Lamet, sources tell ESPN. Hader will be a free agent after the 2023 season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2022

Hader has collected 125 saves for the Brewers since 2018, and the price tag to get him was massive. As reported by Jeff Passan, the Padres sent left-handed closer Taylor Rogers, lefty pitching prospect Robert Gasser, outfielder Esteury Ruiz and right-hander Dinelson Lamet in exchange for the All-Star closer.

The 28-year-old Hader has been an All-Star in four of the past five seasons, and this year has a major league-leading 29 saves. He's once again striking out an incredible 15.6 batters per nine innings.

The Padres were said to be the team to watch at the deadline, and GM A.J. Preller has not disappointed.

Could Juan Soto still be on his docket?

The #Padres #Brewers deal did not include any prospects they have been offering the Nationals in a proposed Juan Soto trade and are still in the mix for him even after acquiring Hader from Milwaukee.
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) August 1, 2022