The Los Angeles Dodgers have made it clear they are in the market for big-name talent this offseason, although to this point, they have struck out on all of the big free agents.
In three consecutive days during the Winter Meetings, the Dodgers watched Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon, all of whom they were linked to, sign lucrative contracts with different teams.
Perhaps the Dodgers’ biggest need this winter is bullpen help though, and they have already gotten a head start on that by reportedly inking Blake Treinen to a one-year, $10 million contract.
It appears they are not done bolstering that bullpen as according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, they are among the teams to inquire on Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader:
The Dodgers and the Mets are among the other teams that have inquired about Hader, sources say. In some cases, sources say the Brewers asked for a package that included at least one top prospect. Teams, however, are hesitant to part with such an asset for a reliever, even one as good as Hader.
Hader and Treinen were arguably the best two relievers in baseball in 2018, but unlike the latter, the former was able to maintain most of that success in 2019. In 61 games for the Brewers this past season, Hader went 3-5 with a 2.62 ERA, 3.10 FIP and 0.81 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and only 20 walks in 75.2 innings.
Considering Hader is only 25 years of age and is entering his first year of arbitration, meaning he is under club control for three more seasons at an affordable rate, it is not surprising to see Milwaukee looking for a top prospect in return if they are going to trade him.
The Dodgers faced a similar dilemma at the trade deadline this past year when they were in talks to acquire Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez but weren’t able to get a deal done due to L.A. not being willing to include Gavin Lux or Dustin May in their package.
Of course, that decision proved particularly wise in light of criminal acts Vazquez is now facing prosecution over.
Milwaukee would likely be interested in the same two prospects, who the Dodgers have essentially made untouchable over the last year. One other aspect to at least consider with Hader is his checkered past.
In 2018, some of his old inappropriate tweets surfaced on social media and he received plenty of backlash for it, particularly at Dodger Stadium where he was greeted with boos when he took the mound for the first time.
There is no doubting he is a talented reliever though and could be the final piece to the lock-down bullpen the Dodgers have been trying to assemble for multiple years.
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