Hader Believes He Will Remain With Astros Beyond Current Contract
The Houston Astros made headlines when they agreed to a five-year, $95 million contract with Josh Hader that made him the highest-paid reliever in terms of present-day value in MLB history.
It was a reversal on how things have operated under the ownership of Jim Crane.
It was the most years he's guaranteed a free agent and easily the most money, while also pushing their payroll into the luxury tax threshold which has only happened one time since Crane has owned the team.
There's no doubt this is a "win now" move for the Astros.
With glaring holes in their bullpen before Kendall Graveman went down with injury, they decided to get the best available reliever on the market and the most dominant in the game.
Hader will be in Houston for the next five years, but the superstar closer hinted that he thinks he could be part of this organization for longer.
"This is a relationship that I believe is going to be longer than five years," he said according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.
That's certainly intriguing because Hader's addition calls into question what role Ryan Pressly, who has served as the Astros' closer, will have this upcoming season.
General manager Dana Brown and first-year manager Joe Espada said that Pressly was excited they added Hader to their relief staff as they chase another World Series championship.
It was expected by many that the left-handed star would become the closer with Houston as well, but Espada hinted that might not be the case.
Pressly also has a mutual option in his contract for the 2025 season. If either he or the team decides to not exercise it, then the righty will become a free agent.
His role during 2024 could certainly sway him one way or another.
Either way, Hader is on the team now and for the next five years. Based on his comments, he could also be with the organization for much longer.
