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MLB rumors: Phillies named best Josh Hader trade fit if Astros move him appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the most impressive teams this season, considering they began the campaign off to an incredibly cold start. With the club jockeying for first place in the NL East, the front office has an opportunity to land a big fish via trade before the August 3 deadline.
Rumors suggest that Philadelphia could go after a talented closer to improve the bullpen. Speculation grew on Wednesday about the franchise going after Josh Hader if the Houston Astros were to deal him away, thanks to a take from MLB insider Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
“You know who’s always going for a championship? The Philadelphia Phillies… There was no team the Dodgers were more scared of in the postseason last year than the Phillies… Would you like to make it Hader and [Jhoan] Duran at the end [of the bullpen]?.. [I think] Philadelphia [is the best fit for Josh Hader].”
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While the idea of the 32-year-old left-hander going to the Phillies is exciting, Sherman did admit that the Astros trading Hader away this season is unlikely. Houston is still within reach of a playoff spot, and could actually be buyers instead of sellers before the trade deadline.
Either way, the 10-year veteran is having another spectacular year on the mound. Since returning from a left biceps injury that sidelined him for the first two months of the 2026 campaign, Hader has maintained his status as one of the league’s top closers. Through 18.1 innings pitched so far, he owns a 1.47 ERA and 0.982 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and 11 saves.
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