Brewers Rumors: Could A Josh Hader Trade Still Happen This Offseason?

Well, it’s been quite the busy day for Brewers rumors. They’ve been connected to several free agent position players and now there might be life in the Josh Hader trade market.

According to Robert Murray, who also reported the Crew’s interest in Eddie Rosario earlier on Tuesday, the Brewers are still listening on Josh Hader. Unsurprisingly, it would take an “overwhelming” offer to pry him from the Crew’s hands.

As we all know, Stearns will listen on just about everybody in trade talks, even players he has no intention of trading. It helps Stearns understand where the market is at for his players, how other teams view them, and if someone offers something you can’t pass up, then a good trade can be made.

It’s made sense all winter for Stearns to be listening to offers on Hader. He’s the fourth-highest paid player on the Brewers roster, he’s going to be getting more and more expensive over the next few years, and relievers are the most volatile group production-wise year to year.

With three years of team control remaining and coming off a pretty strong season, right now is likely when Josh Hader’s trade value will be highest. The longer the Brewers wait, the higher the risk of injury, poor performance, and a lowered return.

There’s no mandate to trade him, but it makes sense, especially given the breakout success of Devin Williams in the back end of the bullpen. If the Brewers can snag some talent to help out their 2021 roster and stock up their farm system a little bit, why not do it?

Murray’s report did not say that there’s been any traction in talks, but considering how late it is in the offseason, the fact that this is still ongoing makes one think that other teams are still trying and the asking price isn’t so absurd that teams have given up on the idea.

The Brewers view Hader as the best lefty reliever in the game and have valued him as such in trade talks. Acquiring him will take a hefty price, but as long as other teams also believe Hader is the best lefty reliever in baseball, then there’s a chance something gets done.

Speculative fits like the White Sox and Dodgers may be out given the moves they have made to this point in the offseason. There are still some other teams left from our list of candidates, and perhaps some others have jumped in as well, who knows.

With all the rumors coming out today, culminating in this report about Hader, the Brewers are likely getting close to something happening. It’s been a quiet offseason so far.