3 players Dave Dombrowski should try to trade for

1. Josh Hader

Similar to Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, the Phillies have already been in recent trade rumors — pre-Dave Dombrowski era — regarding star Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader.

The 26-year-old may have had a down year in 2020 and saw his career ERA rise from 2.42 to 2.54, but even then that figure would have made all the difference for a 2020 bullpen that ultimately cost the Phillies a postseason spot for the first time since the 2011 season — especially considering they finished just one game out of the race.

Ahead of this past August’s trade deadline, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury reported that there was a “lot of buzz” regarding the Phillies being one the teams involved in trade talks for the two-time All-Star southpaw. Hader ultimately remained put in Milwaukee.

Even with a down year, Hader still had an ERA shy of 3.80 and his fourth-straight season with a WHIP ratio less than 1.000. Also, he recorded a National League-best 13 saves. Only free-agent relievers Brad Hand (16) and Liam Hendriks (14) recorded more in Maor League Baseball. A Phillies fan’s dream would be that Dombrowski either acquires or signs all three.

During his introductory press conference on Friday, Dombrowski said that the Phillies need to be aggressive with fixing their bullpen this offseason, that it needs depth, and that he believes in having a really good closer. Whether he deems Hector Neris is the right guy for the task, or he goes out and acquires someone else like Hader, Hand, or Hendriks, remains to be seen.