Headlines

  • Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement
  • Braves Extend Brian Snitker
  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Yankees Sign Justin Wilson
  • Braves Sign Jake Lamb
  • Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Josh Hader Discusses Arbitration Defeat

By Connor Byrne | February 15, 2020 at 12:04am CDT

Brewers reliever Josh Hader just barely earned Super Two status this offseason, setting him up to take four trips through arbitration instead of three. Hader then filed for a $6.4MM salary – a far cry from the $4.1MM the Brewers proposed. The decision on the case came down Friday, and the Brewers emerged as the victors. Even in defeat, Hader’s now set to make significantly more than he’d have hauled in had he not gotten to arbitration this early. But this loss will negatively affect Hader’s earning power in future years, and he’d like to see a change in the system.

Speaking on Friday, the 25-year-old left-hander said (via Adam McCalvy of MLB.com): “We definitely knew that we were the underdogs going into it. But it’s something that needs to be put out there: Baseball’s always changing, and we’re at a point now that we’re continuing to change, and I think the system needs to change with that. You can see it in baseball now — a lot of relievers aren’t in certain roles that they once were.”

Hader added that the current arbitration setup is “outdated” with respect to reliever usage, and it’s difficult to argue against that. The present system puts a great deal of emphasis on racking up saves and holds, which doesn’t seem fair to dominant relievers who aren’t just used in those spots (Hader, for example). Hader does have 49 saves and 39 holds since he debuted in 2017 (including 37 and six in those respective categories in 2019), but the Brewers utilized him in various high-leverage situations in his first two seasons, thereby hurting his counting stats. That tactic, while perhaps wise on the team’s part, didn’t do Hader any favors in his initial arbitration hearing.

No matter how they’ve used him, Hader has been lights-out. A two-time All-Star and a back-to-back NL Reliever of the Year winner, Hader owns a superb 2.42 ERA/2.74 FIP with 15.35 K/9 and 3.17 BB/9 through 204 career 2/3 innings. Furthermore, he has regularly recorded more than three outs per appearance. Given Hader’s excellence to date and Friday’s results, he’s not unreasonable to contend that the arbitration process is behind the times for those in his position.

Share 0 Retweet 2 Send via email0

Josh Hader Milwaukee Brewers

Zack Wheeler Heard “Crickets” From Mets In Free Agency
Main
Camp Battles: Rangers’ First Base Situation
39 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. Frisco500

    1 year ago

    He then went on a twitter tirade… oh wait…
    Btw, I’m going to lay off of you Connor. Goodluck with your career. Dont make me regret my decision. Haha.

    Like
    Reply
    • trendysayings

      1 year ago

      What

      10 Like
      Reply
  2. grapher0315

    1 year ago

    Hader has an excellent point, but it will be difficult to measure his value in a way that an arbitrator can understand.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • bjupton100

      1 year ago

      Elite reliever. I don’t think they’re imbeciles.

      Like
      Reply
    • HereComeThePhillies2018

      1 year ago

      K/9? ERA? FIP? The arbiter isn’t just some shmoe off the street.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • grapher0315

        1 year ago

        Pretty sure the arbitrators are legal folks, not baseball background. That is why the old fashioned, easy to grasp numbers play so heavily in the decisions.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • spinach

          1 year ago

          He just should have made a better argument based on the consecutive reigning reliever of the year awards rather than talking about FIP which is what he probably did. He also should have filed for something less aggressive, $5.8m would have been way more achievable but still way more than the counter.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • baseball1010

          1 year ago

          Agree 100% that being less aggressive was the key here.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • phenomenalajs

          1 year ago

          Agree. Unfortunately, arbitrators don’t have the option to split the difference. They have to pick one or the other.

          1 Like
          Reply
  3. chitowninwi

    1 year ago

    Brewers aren’t in it to win it , owners are satisfied with one good year

    2 Like
    Reply
    • chitown311

      1 year ago

      Kinda ironic that you said that as a cubs fan…

      5 Like
      Reply
      • bravesiowafan

        1 year ago

        Brewers rebuild was an epic fail. Rebuild for 5 years be good for 2 start over.

        Like
        Reply
        • HailRodgers12$

          1 year ago

          5 year rebuild? You mean the one they started in ’15, and we’re relevant again in ’17..?

          Like
          Reply
        • brewcrew08

          1 year ago

          I guess a 2 year rebuild equates to a 5 year to bravesiowafan. Plus who said the brewers aren’t going to be competitive this year? Just because the talking heads don’t think they will means nothing. They were the same ones who thought we wouldn’t be good in the last two years. That worked out well for them.

          Like
          Reply
        • toddkirchenberg

          1 year ago

          Braves fans are the worst fans in baseball can’t even sell,out playoff games.

          Like
          Reply
  4. All American Johnsonville Dogs

    1 year ago

    System needs changed for sure.

    There should be a clear cut distinction between set up man and closer for hearing purproses. Which ever you spend most time doing should be weighted as such.

    If you spend most the time as a closer

    40% saves 30% innings 20% production, not estimators, and 10% other.

    If you spend most your time as a set up man
    40% innings 30% innings 25% production 5% other.

    Situations in games determine classification, less than 2 innings can qualify as innings for a closer if they earn a save pitching 1.1 or 1.2 innings.

    But I’d like to see mlb draft picks tradeble before revamping the arb system. Teams can’t trade rounds 1-10 in consecutive years and can’t trade picks more than 3 years away.

    2 Like
    Reply
  5. letsholdemandgohome

    1 year ago

    I can see both sides of the argument, but it is a business and a business does whatever it has to do to make money and to save money wherever it can, even if it comes at the expense of a valuable asset of the team. Kind of stinks imo

    Like
    Reply
  6. Kewldood69

    1 year ago

    Arbitrator must have been sipping on same HaderAde. Hehehheehehheeh.

    2 Like
    Reply
  7. bjupton100

    1 year ago

    They’ve become the most valuable elite pitcher you can get. Cole’s don’t usually change teams except through free agency and even then a lot were being locked up.

    Like
    Reply
  8. pageian

    1 year ago

    He’s not wrong. If reliever usage is changing them salaries need to reflect that change.

    3 Like
    Reply
  9. DarkSide830

    1 year ago

    i wouldnt be too mad as a super two player. be lucky you get to go to arbitration at all

    3 Like
    Reply
  10. Wise Old Owl

    1 year ago

    He’s overpaid to begin with…they all are. The salaries are outfreakingagus!!! We as fans could change that if we stopped supporting the game by no longer attending them, buying their “stuff” and watching TV games. Who is worth that type of $$$?

    3 Like
    Reply
    • Bchsom16

      1 year ago

      No thanks. You have fun and can stop watching and attending. I enjoy baseball and will keep watching and be okay with the amount of money they make due to the massive amount of money they generate for their owners

      6 Like
      Reply
      • bdpecore

        1 year ago

        I agree with Bohsom16, these guys are elite level athletes who deserve every penny they can make while putting significant wear and tear to their bodies for our entertainment. They also put themselves in the limelight which minimizes their ability to have any privacy which is also something to factor into the equation. I figure if you decide to take this path you are being compensated for your lack of privacy.

        3 Like
        Reply
        • loota.

          1 year ago

          Don’t forget flying to three different cities in a week about two times per month.

          2 Like
          Reply
      • cdr9er

        1 year ago

        Excellent posts

        Like
        Reply
    • fredziffel78

      1 year ago

      Back in the day, Jack Nicholson raked in over $100m for his Joker role in the 1985 Batman movie. One movie role. Did you stop watching all movies because he, as an actor, wasn’t worth that type of $$$? It’s entertainment!

      3 Like
      Reply
      • fredziffel78

        1 year ago

        Correction…1989 Batman movie. Sorry.

        Like
        Reply
      • Buzzed Capra

        1 year ago

        Yeah it’s just athletes that get this treatment. No one seems to cares if Hollywood actors and pop music artists make millions.

        1 Like
        Reply
    • Buzzed Capra

      1 year ago

      Obviously THEY are worth that type of $$$. Otherwise these rich greedy owners wouldn’t be paying them all those $$$$.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • CrookedAsstros

      1 year ago

      All teams are owned by billionaires lol, what do you care how much the players get paid? It’s not your money

      1 Like
      Reply
    • baseball1010

      1 year ago

      So MLB grosses close to 10 billion and the 750 guys (in the entire world) who can play at that level are overpaid! Wow

      1 Like
      Reply
      • Dodgethis

        1 year ago

        Players aren’t the only reason for the league success. Tons of behind the scenes employees, magnificent stadiums, outside revenue from developing around the stadiums, the vast industries created to make and develop equipment. How about all the people working games for minimum wage while millionaire play with balls? Trying to say players deserve all the money is just as elitist as saying owners deserve it. Except, without the owners there would be no baseball league. Things don’t just happen.

        Like
        Reply
        • keyser_soze

          1 year ago

          ANYONE deserves what someone is willing to pay them. If the minimum wage worker could hit baseball 400ft or throw a baseball 95mph, then they probably would worth more than minimum wage. Pretty simple

          Like
          Reply
  11. scarfish

    1 year ago

    Would certainly love to hear Randy Levine’s thoughts, you know, given that Hader ‘is not a closer’ and all….

    1 Like
    Reply
  12. ScottCFA

    1 year ago

    Another problem is that players are guaranteed not to get a pay cut in arbitration. If Hader deserved his $6.4 mill. for his past performance, what if he had a subpar 2020? The Brewers would have to pay him at least that much or cut him, with another team free to sign him at the market rate. If you’re going to “mark-to-market,” it should be a two-way street.

    5 Like
    Reply
  13. cd3k

    1 year ago

    maybe got dinged a little for that 8th-inning performance in the Wild Card game…

    Juan Soto puts Nationals ahead with HUGE single that clears the bases | NL Wild Card
    youtube.com/watch?v=Ju0n_ug9VyE

    1 Like
    Reply
  14. Ezpkns34

    1 year ago

    So the Brewers get to take double advantage by using him in actually high leverage situations AND saving money by using him properly like that. Sucks for Hader though

    Like
    Reply
    • HailRodgers12$

      1 year ago

      Nobody expected him to even be eligible for arbitration til the cutoff was announced. He’s going to make roughly $3.4 million more than the brewers anticipated.

      Like
      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner

    Giants To Sign Jake McGee

    Mariners CEO Kevin Mather Resigns

    Athletics Sign Trevor Rosenthal

    Recent

    Health Notes: Yordan, E-Rod, Bailey, Nottingham, Parra

    Giants Claim Jordan Humphreys

    Minor MLB Transactions: 2/26/21

    Braves Outright Phil Pfeifer

    Angels To Sign Jesse Chavez

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Sign Terrance Gore To Minor League Deal

    Diamondbacks Designate Travis Bergen, Keury Mella For Assignment

    Cubs To Re-Sign Ryan Tepera

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    • Taijuan Walker Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version