Josh Hader John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Padres acquire four-time All-Star closer Josh Hader from Brewers in blockbuster deal

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 8/1/22

The San Diego Padres have landed four-time All-Star closer Josh Hader in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to multiple reports.

The return on Josh Hader to Milwaukee is significant: left-handed closer Taylor Rogers, lefty pitching prospect Robert Gasser, outfielder Esteury Ruiz and right-hander Dinelson Lamet, sources tell ESPN. Hader will be a free agent after the 2023 season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2022

The Brewers told teams last month they would listen on All-Star closer Josh Hader, believing they can still win the NL Central without him, and getting younger at the same time. They had planned to trade him this winter knowing that he would get another huge raise in arbitration.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 1, 2022

As noted by USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Brewers -- despite currently holding the top spot in the NL Central at 57-45 -- had made it known that they were willing to move the hard-throwing lefty if they received a good enough offer. Hader is 1-4 with a 4.24 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 29 saves in 37 appearances this season.

The 28-year-old has gone 17-17 with a 2.48 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 125 saves in six seasons with Milwaukee while racking up 541 strikeouts in 316 1/3 innings pitched. Hader's 29 saves lead the majors, while one of the Brewers' new acquisitions in Taylor Rogers ranks second with 28 stops.

The Padres have been involved in rampant trade rumors, showing reported interest in the likes of superstars Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels among others.

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