What It Means:

Hader will take over the closing job for Houston this season while incumbent closer Ryan Pressly moves into a setup role. Hader posted elite numbers over the past few seasons while playing with the Brewers and Padres, while Pressly's ERA climbed to a 3.58 mark despite notching over 30 saves for a second consecutive season. It's possible the team will try to trade the 34-year-old veteran this season.

Hader's ERA came back down to earth in 2023 after his turbulent 2022 campaign, which saw him usurped as the Brewers' closer in favor of Devin Williams. The star closer finished 2023 with a 1.28 ERA and a 13.6 K/9 rate.