Houston Astros' Interest in Hader Could Become Unprecedented Signing

It seemed obvious that the Houston Astros would need to become more aggressive in free agency to add pieces after three relievers left this offseason and Kendall Graveman went down with an injury expected to keep him out of all of 2024.

That's not good.

Yet Dana Brown was operating as if losing 207 1/3 relief innings wasn't a big deal and they weren't changing their strategy.

Well, it seems like a wake up call was made as the Astros are reportedly now interested in the best bullpen option on the market, Josh Hader.

This is exciting for Houston, who has not been able to be in the market for high-end players this winter because of the self-imposed salary cap placed on the franchise by their owner Jim Crane.

Hader not only upgrades the bullpen, but signals they are truly interested in chasing another World Series championship.

However, signing the left-handed star would be unprecedented for this organization.

Since Crane bought the Astros in 2011, he has never handed out a contract to a free agent that exceeds $58.5 million, and only Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez have been given more than $100 million.

Hader is looking for a record-breaking contract that is over the five-year, $102 million contract that Edwin Diaz was handed by the New York Mets.

Knowing this, it doesn't feel like Houston and Hader are a match.

If the Astros did sign the lefty, they would fly over the $237 million competitive tax threshold that Crane has been desperately trying to avoid. He's only surpassed it one time during his tenure as owner.

Maybe Hader won't get the deal he's searching for that would make him the highest-paid closer in the history of baseball. His market has been considerably quiet for a player who is one of the all-time best relievers based on opponents' batting average against.

But, even if it's not the record-setting contract Houston signs him to, they still will likely surpass the most money they've ever paid a free agent.

This signing would truly be unprecedented under Crane's ownership.

It will be seen if this reported interest is just smoke, or if they can actually land one of the game's best players.