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Reactions to Milwaukee Brewers shockingly trading All-Star Josh Hader

By Lucas Valind

Jul 7, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Josh Hader (71) reacts during the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Josh Hader (71) reacts during the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Milwaukee Brewers fans were starting to worry about the possibility of it being a slow deadline, but things sped up quickly on Monday afternoon.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Brewers are trading Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres in return for a significant haul.

In exchange for Hader, the Brewers will receive left-handed closer Taylor Rogers, lefty pitching prospect Robert Gasser, outfielder Esteury Ruiz and right-hander Dinelson Lamet.

Reactions to the Milwaukee Brewers stunningly trading Josh Hader to Padres

Now maybe it’s because Hader is my favorite Milwaukee Brewers player, but I truly don’t understand this move from the Brewers at all.

Hader is arguably the best reliever in the history of the franchise and possibly the best in the MLB right now and they gave him away during a time when they’re trying to make a deep playoff run. While some fans may be frustrated with the return, I don’t think the return is the issue at all. The issue, at least for me, is that the Brewers just traded a top closer in the game when they have an opportunity to chase a championship.

The Brewers were able to get a decent return in this package. It’s not an overwhelming package like you would want for a player of Hader’s caliber, but it’s enough to see why the team thought it would be an acceptable offer.

Both Rogers and Lamet have put together All-Star caliber seasons in their careers. Rogers is coming off of an All-Star season for the Twins just one year ago. He hasn’t had the same level of success so far this season, despite being second in the league in saves behind Josh Hader.

For Rogers, the Brewers will be hoping that they’re getting the April and May version of him. In June and July, Rogers struggled with a 5.59 ERA in June and a 9.31 ERA in July. In April and May, Rogers was one of the best closers in baseball with a 0.00 ERA in April and a 2.70 ERA in May.

As for Lamet, he’s never been named an All-Star, but was All-MLB Second Team during the shortened 2020 season. Lamet emerged as a Cy Young candidate for San Diego in 2020, finishing with a 2.09 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP.

The Brewers pitching lab is something that has become a talking point in recent years. The hope is that players that have showcased the talent that Lamet and Rogers have at the Major League level can get their best stuff out of pitching in Milwaukee.

Hader may be gone, but it probably isn’t the end of the world for the Brewers. Devin Williams has been having a tremendous season, as he hasn’t given up a run since May 16th. They also have Rogers has an option to close if they want to keep Williams in the setup role.

The Milwaukee Brewers likely aren’t done making trades either. They may even try to use some of the pieces acquired in Monday’s trade for other moves. Stay tuned for more updates as the trade deadline comes closing in.

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