​The Houston Astros enter the final day before the MLB All-Star break at 47-50, a mark that is far from ideal and places them under .500 as they navigate a weak American League West. Despite their sub-.500 record, Houston is just 2.0 games behind the division leader and only 0.5 games out of a wild-card berth, keeping hope alive for a late-season push. The chatter around trade deadline plans has shifted this season: this Astros team might not be sellers after all, and they could instead be buyers, with their top need being left-handed hitting outfielders.
A key figure in the trade conversations has been Josh Hader, the $95 million left-handed closer who was long rumored to be a potential trade chip. However, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Houston is not putting Hader on the market. Nightengale reports that Hader, now in the third year of his five-year, $95 million contract, is not available in trade talks. This indicates that the Astros are not entertaining calls about trading their closer, at least not at this point in the season.
Even if Houston remains in playoff contention and decides to buy instead of sell, Hader’s status as a trade candidate appears unlikely to change this summer. While the August 3 trade deadline often serves as a window to add talent, it is improbable that a deal would involve a player as pivotal as Hader. Nightengale’s reporting underscores that the Astros’ high-leverage closer is not on the table for teams seeking a trade in 2024, and that the team’s plans for the summer are not centered around moving him.
Hader has pitched well this season, recording a 0.59 ERA with 1.0 bWAR, a 3-0 record, and 10 saves across 16 appearances and 15.1 innings. His strong performance supports the view that the Astros would retain him rather than part with him in pursuit of a broader roster upgrade, at least for the time being. The sense conveyed by Nightengale’s account is that Houston views Hader as a key piece for a potential postseason run and is unlikely to entertain trade offers that would remove him from the bullpen.
Despite the possibility of the Astros being buyers, the fundamental takeaway is clear: the star closer, a cornerstone of Houston’s pitching staff, does not appear to be for sale during this season. Nightengale’s reporting emphasizes that Houston is not positioning itself to listen to trade calls on Hader, reinforcing the impression that he will remain in an Astros uniform through the end of the season. As the Astros weigh their options, their path toward the playoffs remains plausible, contingent on continued strong performances, strategic acquisitions, and perhaps a few timely improvements in the lineup, particularly at the left-handed hitting outfield position they have identified as a priority.