The Houston Astros have not been very active so far in free agency.
It is odd to see a team like them not looking for ways to improve through the first wave of free agents.
But, it appears it was only a matter of time until the Astros made a big move.
According to MLB via Jon Heyman, the Astros have agreed to a five-year deal with closer Josh Hader.
Astros, LHP Josh Hader reportedly agree to 5-year deal, according to @MLBNetwork insider Jon Heyman. pic.twitter.com/aqyjAhPJXr
— MLB (@MLB) January 19, 2024
This move comes as a surprise to many because the Astros already had a closer in place.
Ryan Pressly is one of the better closers in baseball but the Astros wanted to make a strength even stronger.
Hader will most likely take over the ninth-inning role, leaving Pressly in the setup role.
That makes for a dominant one-two punch at the back end of their bullpen.
Not making the World Series last year left a sour taste in the mouths of many people around Houston.
But, this signing goes to show they are all-in on making it back in 2024.
Good pick up for the Houston Astros. I guess they’re reloading for a World Series run
— Shane O’Shea (@shane074penny) January 19, 2024
Outside of Hader and Pressly, the Astros also have Bryan Abreu for the seventh inning.
He has closer experience and will make the Astros very tough to beat in the final innings of a game.
Josh Hader, who was once traded by the Astros as a minor leaguer, returns to the organization on a $95 million deal.
Hader joins Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu to make up what sure seems like a powerful bullpen for the Astros. https://t.co/uHHxcFTg2i
— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) January 19, 2024
Also, this move gives the Astros a major advantage over the Texas Rangers when it comes to the bullpen.
Houston is looking to do whatever is necessary to reclaim the World Series trophy from their rivals.
This signing was the first step in the right direction.
The post Fans React To Today’s Josh Hader News appeared first on The Cold Wire.