Ken Rosenthal: How the Hader deal impacts Astros championship window
FUTURE IMPLICATIONS?
29 January 2024
Following the Astros signing Josh Hader to a massive $95 million contract, Ken Rosenthal examines the deals currently on the books for Houston and projects what the roster will look like over the next several years.
Ryan Pressly and Justin Verlander's future with the club will be determined by how they perform this season. Pressly has to make 50 appearances this year for his option to vest in 2025. Verlander has to reach 140 innings this season, or he will be a free agent in 2025.
Rosenthal expects the Astros to extend Jose Altuve, who is set to be a free agent in 2025. However, he's not so sure the Astros will be able to keep Alex Bregman, who is also in the last year of his current deal.
So why did owner Jim Crane step outside his comfort zone and sign Hader to a huge contract that now has the Astros over the tax threshold? Based on his experience, he believes owners sometimes fixate on a certain player and will try to acquire them when an opportunity presents itself.
In this circumstance, he thinks Crane and the Astros view the 2015 Hader trade as a mistake. The deal wasn't very good for the Astros and signing him in free agency could be viewed as correcting a mistake from years ago. He's also heard that the 'Stros tried to trade for Hader last year, but the deal never went through. Houston was reportedly calling about a starter and reliever on the Padres.
The starter they called about is believed to be Blake Snell. At the end of the day, Hader is an Astro, and Houston has arguably the best bullpen in baseball.
What can be questioned, though, is if Crane spent the money in the best way possible. Hector Neris leaving in free agency is one of the reasons Houston had to add to the bullpen. Neris was reportedly looking for a contact in the range of 3-years, $50 million. He settled for a 1-year deal for $9 million with the Cubs. The deal could convert into a 2-year contract ($18 million) if Neris makes 60 appearances this season. If he reaches all his incentives, the deal has a max value of $23.25 million.
Who knows if Crane had preferred to sign Neris with the benefit of hindsight.
Be sure to watch the video above as Ken Rosenthal shares his thoughts on the Astros championship window, the Hader signing, and much more!
Angel Martínez hit a grand slam off closer Josh Hader with two outs in the 10th inning to lift the Cleveland Guardians to a 10-6 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
José Ramírez and Brayan Rocchio also homered to help the Guardians beat the Astros for a second straight night after entering the series on a 10-game skid.
Out for a second inning after throwing a scoreless ninth and with a runner on starting on second, Hader (5-2) intentionally walked Ramírez before walking Carlos Santana to load the bases. Hader struck out pinch-hitter Johnathan Rodríguez before Martínez sent a sinker 344 feet, into the first row of the seats in left field to put the Guardians on top.
Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase struck out one in a scoreless 10th to end it after Jakob Junis (2-1) struck out two in the ninth to earn the win.
Houston scored two runs in the eighth inning, with an RBI single from Jose Altuve, to tie it.
Altuve had two hits and drove in four runs, and rookie Cam Smith added three hits.
Houston starter Hunter Brown, who entered with an MLB-leading 1.82 ERA, yielded six hits and a season-high six runs in six innings.
There was one on with one out in the first when Ramírez homered for a second consecutive game, giving the Guardians a 2-0 lead.
The Astros cut the lead to 2-1 when Isaac Paredes scored on a sacrifice fly by Altuve in the bottom of the inning.
Rocchio doubled to start the third before scoring on a one-out double by Nolan Jones, making it 3-1. A two-out single by Daniel Schneemann scored two more, extending the lead to 5-1.
Altuve’s two-run double cut the lead to 6-3 with no outs in the fifth. Houston got within 6-4 when he scored on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini.
Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo allowed five hits and three runs with seven strikeouts in four-plus innings.
Key moment
The grand slam by Martínez into the Crawford Boxes.
Key stat
It’s the first time Cleveland has won back-to-back games since beating the Athletics June 21-22.
Up next
Houston LHP Brandon Walter (1-1, 4.15 ERA) opposes RHP Slade Cecconi (3-4, 3.56) when the series concludes Wednesday.
