UPDATE: Yankees Had Interest In Pitcher, Josh Hader Before The Astros Deal

Josh Hader, the new relief ace for the Astros, spoke about his free agency and the teams that he was pursuing before agreeing to a five-year contract in Houston earlier this week on Foul Territory. The Dodgers and Yankees were two of those teams, Hader pointed out. Hader continued by saying that although those teams weren’t the only ones to show interest in him throughout the summer, none of them were as assertive as the Astros, whose $95MM offer eclipsed the current record for value placed on a relief pitcher.

It comes as no surprise that both the Dodgers and Yankees expressed interest in the 29-year-old pitcher this offseason. With an impressive track record that includes five All-Star selections and three NL Reliever of the Year awards, Hader has established himself as one of the premier relievers in the league since his debut with the Brewers in 2017. His career statistics speak for themselves, boasting a remarkable 2.50 ERA and 2.73 FIP with 165 saves across 349 appearances.

While both teams had the financial means to pursue Hader, they ultimately chose to explore other options rather than committing to the substantial contract he would likely command. Hader’s deal with the Astros set the tone for the reliever market, prompting several high-profile bullpen arms to sign with other clubs, including Ryan Brasier with the Dodgers and Caleb Ferguson with the Yankees.

While Brasier and Ferguson bring valuable experience to their respective teams, neither possesses the same level of pedigree as Hader. Although there are still some quality options available in free agency, the pool of available relievers is dwindling. Kenley Jansen, who remains on the market and has reportedly been shopped by the Red Sox, could be a potential target for either the Dodgers or Yankees. Despite his hefty salary, Jansen’s extensive experience and track record of success make him an appealing option for teams seeking bullpen help.