Josh Hader on the trade bloc

The Milwaukee Brewers are rumored to be listening to calls from star closer Josh Hader as the MLB trade deadline nears.

The Brewers sit at the top of the NL Central, but they’re getting into the closing stages before the close and are poised to sell at least one All-Star.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The AthleticMilwaukee “listens to overtures” to get closer to Josh Hader. Jon Heyman reported the same.

That doesn’t mean the team is pushing for a change. Both reporters made that clear. Apparently they are open to offers.

Brewer Trade Rumors: Josh Hader on the Trade Bloc

“The talks could hardly be more than due diligence. But as the Brewers head towards their fifth straight postseason appearance, their motivation to trade strife may increase,” Rosenthal wrote.

Hader was an All-Star for the fourth time this year, so why are the Brewers willing to trade him?

Rosenthal gave three reasons: Hader’s salary will increase to $16 million in arbitration next year, he doesn’t want to appear in more than one inning at a time, and Devin Williams looks like a perfect internal replacement.

In addition, Hader has struggled over the past month. His ERA over the last 28 days is 12.54. If the Brewers don’t move him now and he keeps struggling, he could be a liability in the postseason and significantly lower his future trade value.

Trading in Hader would, of course, mean the right offer came in. Rosenthal said they had to get a desired batsman or a package of young players who could supply the needs in return.