San Diego Padres Closer Linked to Phillies as Free Agent Fit

The 2023 free agency class is shaping up to have some big named players who have been performing well hit the open market. Superstar Shohei Ohtani will drive the discussion about the class, but there are also some top rated players that will be available.

The San Diego Padres' closer Josh Hader is set to hit free agency at the conclusion of the season and will be one of the most highly sought after players.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com has him ranked as his fifth overall free agent and links him to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hader is having his best season as a professional, posting an ERA of 0.79 during his 48 appearances this year. That comes on the heels of his worst season in the MLB when he posted a 5.22 ERA in 2022 and a 7.31 ERA after the Padres traded for him at the deadline.

The lefthander has shown he is once again a premiere reliever in the league and will likely command a large contract in the offseason.

Feinsand reports, "(New York Mets' closer) Edwin Díaz landed a record-setting five-year, $102 million deal last winter, a figure Hader might approach -- or eclipse -- as the best reliever available."

Craig Kimbrel, the current Phillies closer, is hitting the free agent market after the season as well. He's performed well for Philadelphia in his first season with the team, closing out 21 of 23 save opportunities with an ERA of 3.21.

The front office could want their current closer back in 2024, however, Kimbrel will be 36-years-old next year compared to Hader entering his age 30 season.

How much ownership will want to spend on another top free agent after Trea Turner's contract last offseason is likely to depend on how they perform in the playoffs.