By Alfredo Echenique
Dec 25, 2023, 3:38 PM EST
The New York Yankees have already reinforced their offense with the arrivals of Álex Verdugo and Juan Soto. Now the Big Apple team is looking to add arms to its pitching, until a few weeks ago Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the main objective to integrate the New York rotation, however the Japanese ended up choosing the Dodgers.
The Yankees’ search continues and it seems that now the pitcher they have in mind would be a high-caliber closer. Well, according to a report from Bleacher Report Free agent Josh Hader arouses the interest of the Yankees to strengthen their bullpen.
The left-hander had an excellent 2023 season. He finished with a very low ERA of 1.28. He only allowed 8 runs in 56.1 innings pitched in 61 games, in addition to reaching 33 saves with the San Diego Padres in the campaign.
This good season by Hader has sparked the interest of several teams in adding him to their bullpen. Also taking advantage of the fact that the 29-year-old left-hander is currently a free agent after fulfilling his contract with the San Diego Padres.
Hader’s last year in San Diego earned $14.1 million per season. And according to the specialized website Sportacthe pitcher could aspire to a contract of around $100 million dollars for five seasons to wear the striped uniform.
The Yankees are missing a pitcher of this style, since in 2023 the team’s closer was Clay Holmes. And although he did well, finishing with 24 saves and a 2.88 ERA, he is not the natural role on the team.
In the report, journalist Kerry Miller explains it. “Clay Holmes is a good reliever, but maybe he would be an elite setup for the eighth inning. Furthermore, New York will only have him under control for one more year, so tying up a closer like Hader would relieve the management and coaching staff of a headache,” he explained.
For now there is no specific offer on the table for Hader, but it is speculated that the Yankees would soon send one to the closer who is still a free agent and also maintains the interest of other franchises such as the Philadelphia Phillies, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs.
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