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!
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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