Phillies 'perfect' trade target is $95 million Astros closer with a 1.47 ERA

With the MLB trade deadline under two weeks away, the Philadelphia Phillies have three very clear needs to address: No. 5 starting pitcher, right-handed hitting outfielder, and a high-leverage reliever.

While the No. 5 starter and a right-handed hitting outfielder are some big needs, the high-leverage reliever has become a much more pressing need with Brad Keller out for the regular season and the other relievers going through some struggles.

The Phillies could use a righty or a lefty reliever, but in Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report's opinion, their "perfect" trade target is Houston Astros $95 million closer with a 1.47 ERA, Josh Hader, at the 2026 trade deadline.

Phillies 'perfect' trade target is Astros' Josh Hader

"Philadelphia Phillies (80.9% postseason odds): LHP Josh Hader," Miller writes. "While they don't need a closer, a dominant left-handed reliever would be fantastic."

Hader certainly would fit that role of a "dominant left-handed reliever." The Astros left-hander has a 1.47 ERA this season in 20 outings with a 3-1 record, 0.9 bWAR, and 11 saves with 29 strikeouts in 18.1 innings pitched.

While Miller named Hader as the Phillies "perfect" trade deadline target, there are some very clear issues for a potential deal.

For one, the Astros might not even be sellers, meaning Hader isn't even an option. Two, Hader has a full no-trade clause, meaning he can veto a trade the Phillies want to make if he doesn't want to leave Houston or if he want's to go to another team.

MORE: Phillies ‘would love’ to trade for Mets reliever Luke Weaver

Also, the price tag of adding Hader, the 32-year-old lefty closer, would surely be very high. He's under club control through the 2028 season on his five-year, $95 million contract.

That deal alone will make a trade complicated, but with the Astros potentially not selling and Hader's no-trade clause, plus the lofty price of the trade itself, the Phillies' "perfect" trade deadline target is not a realistic one at all.

But if the Phillies could somehow land Hader and pair him with Jhoan Duran out of the bullpen, the Phillies would have to feel immensely confident in their high-leverage relievers for the 2026 MLB postseason.

More MLB news:

• Braves injury update on Spencer Strider has execs ‘pessimistic’ about a 2026 return
• Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani injury update essentially ends Cy Young chances
• White Sox have strong interest in Mets’ Clay Holmes with scout attending rehab assignment
• Yankees send scouts to Cubs vs. Twins series amid trade interest in three players
• MLB execs believe Padres will trade Mason Miller at trade deadline