Josh Hader's 2024 season has been a rollercoaster, with home run issues plaguing his performance. After a tough April, he struggled in July and September, allowing significant runs mostly due to homers. Despite a career-high in wins and strikeouts, fantasy owners are hoping for more saves from the Astros' arm. Hader's fastball speed aligns with last year, but his heavy reliance on the sinker and slider has created vulnerabilities against right-handed hitters.

Bryan Abreu, Hader's handcuff, has shown talent with an impressive ERA and WHIP, but inconsistencies against lefties jeopardize his path to the closer role. Rostered together, Hader offers potential saves while Abreu stands as a safeguard. The combined prospects for fantasy owners look promising yet require careful monitoring.

Josh Hader's first season with the Houston Astros came to an unexpected end as they traded him to the Chicago Cubs after just one year. The move followed Ryan Pressly's approval, allowing him to waive his no-trade rights. While the Astros aimed to bolster their bullpen by signing Hader, the upcoming season now poses challenges as the bullpen’s depth and performance remain uncertain. Bryan Abreu is expected to step into the primary setup role alongside Hader, who had a mixed performance last year with a 3.80 ERA but still converted 34 of 38 save opportunities.

The trade leaves the Astros with questions about their roster. Only Tayler Scott appears firmly established, having recorded a 2.23 ERA last season. New faces and untested pitchers will compete for bullpen roles during spring training, including the likes of Bryan King and Kaleb Ort. The Astros previously counted on Pressly's experience, which they will now lack. With their bullpen's history of struggles, the Astros may need to explore external options to fill the gaps left by Hader and Pressly.

The Houston Astros have finalized salary agreements with most of their arbitration-eligible players, leaving only starter Framber Valdez pending. Valdez, projected to earn $17.8 million in 2025, is the last of eight players needing a salary resolution before Thursday's deadline.

Among those who secured agreements are third baseman Isaac Paredes at $6.625 million, shortstop Jeremy Peña at $4.1 million, and outfielder Chas McCormick at $3.4 million. Utility player Mauricio Dubón will earn $5 million, while outfielder Jake Meyers, pitchers Bryan Abreu, and Luis Garcia settled for $2.3 million, $3.45 million, and $1.875 million respectively.

Right-hander Luis Garcia has reached an agreement with the Houston Astros, avoiding arbitration with a one-year contract worth $1,875,000. This amount matches his previous year's salary while he rehabilitated from Tommy John surgery.

At 28 years old, Garcia underwent surgery on May 19, 2023, and made two minor league appearances shortly after but faced challenges in his recovery. Over the last four seasons, he has a record of 28 wins and 19 losses, with a 3.61 ERA across 63 starts and six relief appearances. Notably, Garcia represented Venezuela in the recent World Baseball Classic.

As the Astros navigate the arbitration process, seven other players are set to exchange proposed salaries with the team, including Bryan Abreu, Framber Valdez, Jeremy Peña, Isaac Paredes, Mauricio Dubón, Chas McCormick, and Jake Meyers.

The Houston Astros and right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia have agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,875,000, thereby avoiding arbitration. This amount matches his previous salary from last year when he was sidelined due to recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Garcia, 28, underwent surgery on May 19, 2023, and made only two minor league appearances later in the season. His performance has been affected by the lengthy recovery process, but he has demonstrated potential with a career record of 28 wins, 19 losses, and a 3.61 ERA across 63 starts along with six relief appearances from 2020 to 2023. Notably, Garcia also represented Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Meanwhile, seven other Astros players are still set to negotiate their arbitration salaries, including right-handers Bryan Abreu and Framber Valdez, as well as infielders Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes, along with outfielders Mauricio Dubón, Chas McCormick, and Jake Meyers.