Rangers Interest in Hader Fading?

The Texas Rangers remain in play for Josh Hader, but the free-agent reliever isn’t a top priority despite the club’s issues in the bullpen.

Hader has been linked to the defending World Series champions since the start of free agency, with many in the industry predicting the closer would sign with the Rangers. But his asking price is “north” of the five-year, $102 million contract that Edwin Díaz received from the New York Mets before last season, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.

Bowden, speaking on CBS Sports HQ, added that no team, including the Rangers, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, has approached that financial “ballpark” with Hader. Bowden added that those three teams would prefer adding a starting pitcher before a reliever.

The Rangers bullpen problems were well-chronicled last season. Currently, José Leclerc is the odds-on favorite to be the closer if Texas does not make a move.

Hader, 29, posted a 1.28 ERA with only five blown saves (33-38) for the San Diego Padres in 2023. He struck out 85 in 56 1/3 innings with a WHIP of 1.101 and held opponents to a .163 batting average.

The four-time All-Star and three-time National League Reliever of the Year is clearly the best closer on the market.

But if the Rangers are prioritizing starting pitching over relief, bringing back Jordan Montgomery would be the natural focus. The postseason star is considered one of the best starters available, along with Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, with the Yankees among the teams targeting Montgomery.