Rangers Strengthen Chances By Adding Hader
For the Texas Rangers to remain atop the American League entering 2024, a big-time free-agent acquisition would really help. More than anything, Texas needs back-end bullpen help after a handful of relievers couldn’t get the job done in the ninth inning last season. The good news? Texas remains one of the favorites to land former San Diego Padres closer Josh Hader. Even if the Rangers remain idle on the market leading up to spring training, that one move could be enough to make them baseball’s finest.
According to reports, a multi-year contract for Hader could reach the $100 million level thanks mainly to his clutch factor. Few bullpen arms have the juice of the lefty closer, and fewer have the placement that makes the batter’s knees buckle.
Texas found its way to hoisting up the Commissioner’s Trophy thanks to its offense. While Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi deserve credit for prime pitching performances, the league’s top offense led the way through October. The Rangers finished with the AL’s fifth-worst bullpen ERA last season (4.77). The Cleveland Guardians (34-81) and Colorado Rockies (34-66) were the only teams worst at blowing saves. Hader, 29, meanwhile, posted a 1.28 ERA with only five blown saves (33-38) on the year. He also struck out 65 and held an opponent’s batting average to .165.
While adding Hader won’t guarantee Texas returns to the Fall Classic, it does strengthen the chances dramatically. The Rangers will be without Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and newly acquired Tyler Mahle to begin the year, thus forcing potential bullpen arms to move into the starting rotation. The last thing the Rangers need is to exhaust their arms with blown saves. Hader solves the problem on the paper. He likely does the same on the mound, too. General manager Chris Young said at the Winter Meetings that Texas wouldn’t be headed on a shopping spree entering this offseason like years past. That’s fair. The Rangers don’t need to spend big at any position besides closer. But Hader could be worth opening the checkbook one more time.
