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Yankees had good reason not to trade for Josh Hader despite rumors

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 26: Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during a game against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field on July 26, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 26: Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during a game against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field on July 26, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees started off Monday by launching their bullpen revamp after they acquired Scott Effross in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. That’s 5.5 years of control of an effective major league reliever for the team’s No. 7 prospect in Hayden Wesneski. Pretty solid deal.

They were also involved in some other trade talks, though. Out of nowhere on Monday afternoon, the Milwaukee Brewers traded closer Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres in what was a shocking blockbuster that should hopefully sum up how wild this deadline actually gets.

Shortly after the deal made its rounds in the news cycle, it was revealed the Yankees were among those involved in the talks, but didn’t come close to San Diego’s offer. And it’s understandable why they didn’t.

The Padres surrendered the following for 1.5 years of Hader, ($11 million salary in 2022 and something considerably higher in 2023):

  • Closer Taylor Rogers
  • Pitcher Dinelson Lamet
  • No. 7 prospect pitcher Robert Gasser
  • No. 28 prospect OF Esteury Ruiz

The Yankees’ equivalent of that deal could’ve prevented them from acquiring Effross and/or would’ve depleted their bullpen depth at the major league level.

The Yankees had good reason not to trade for Brewers closer Josh Hader

Again, if Michael King hadn’t gotten injured, maybe a lot of the Yankees’ deadline plans would’ve been different. But this is the reality now. Trading for an unstable (at the moment) Hader, who has a disgusting 14.04 ERA and 2.28 WHIP in his last month of action (10 games, 8.1 innings) would’ve been a risk that cost far too much in regard to what the Yankees are trying to do right now.

What would this equivalent deal have been for the Yankees? Here’s our stab at it:

  • RP Ron Marinaccio
  • SP/RP Clarke Schmidt
  • No. 7 prospect pitcher Hayden Wesneski (moved for Effross)
  • No. 26 prospect outfielder Estevan Florial or No. 23 prospect OF Elijah Dunham

Clay Holmes being in this deal representing the equivalent of Rogers would’ve made no sense, and King obviously would’ve been no interest to Milwaukee at this time. That’s why Marinaccio probably grabs the top spot. And removing him (the hottest arm in the bullpen right now?) wouldn’t have been wise.

That would’ve forced the Yankees to place more trust in Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Loaisiga to “get right” when there’s absolutely no guarantee of that happening, while also weakening their long relief depth. Then who knows if the Cubs walk away from the Effross deal or if the Yankees feel comfortable doing the Frankie Montas/Lou Trivino trade with the A’s. Because there was no way they could’ve lost this much pitching depth in the name of acquiring Hader.

Now, instead of trading multiple relievers for one and missing out on others, the Yankees have maintained the status quo while adding Effross and Trivino to the mix. They didn’t need a lights-out closer — they already have one. If the price was right? Different story.

Also … uh, Gleyber Torres for Hader? Absolutely NOT.

It’s hard to argue with the Yankees’ deadline (outside of the Jordan Montgomery trade) after all the curveballs that have turned these last few weeks upside down.

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