I was very much on the fence about the Astros signing Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million contract before the 2024 season. Usually, I don’t think long-term deals with relievers at that level of money are prudent decisions in terms of roster construction. However, I do appreciate the urgency of signing the best reliever available when Kendall Graveman was sidelined with shoulder surgery that offseason. Signing Hader to a deal of that magnitude made more sense for a contender like the Astros than for most teams. There’s a point where a signing might not seem the best “analytical” decision, but where a team is positioned in its competitive cycle can justify taking a risk in free agency.
Some Thoughts About Josh Hader
