Padres bet on closer's lengthy track record; franchise has bright history with closers
Start with the 28-year-old’s track record of tweaks throughout a mostly dominant, six-year career. There’s nothing ailing him, judging by his fastballs that approach 100 mph and high-speed sliders.
The Padres usually field a reliable closer, whether he’s a future Hall of Famer , a veteran reclamation project or an around-30 bargain . The three-base error turned Hader’s leadoff walk into a go-ahead run. Three pitches later, a Washington Nationals rookie clubbed Hader’s 0-2 fastball for his first home run.
The righty batted .211 and grounded into nine double plays in the 59 games. His OPS fell some 200 points, matching his plummet in confidence. The main reason the Padres traded for Hader is that his explosive pitches can make the ballpark, the opponent and the sport’s randomness null and void. He’s a strikeout machine who’s averaged no fewer than 14.7 Ks per nine in the past five seasons, following his 35-game rookie year.
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said Hader, who’s eligible for free agency after next season, could command “maybe the biggest long-term contract a reliever will ever get.”
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