1 player San Diego Padres should extend next, and 2 extensions they should avoid

The San Diego Padres should avoid an extension with Josh Hader

Josh Hader was the other massive trade deadline acquisition made by the Padres. Like Soto, he struggled in his new environment. Hader posted a 7.31 ERA in 19 regular season appearances for the Padres. He did find a way to get his command under control towards the end of the season and pitched 5.1 scoreless innings in his five postseason appearances with four saves.

Hader has gotten off to a good start this season, allowing one run in his first seven innings of work and racking up four saves. That still isn't good enough to warrant an extension.

When right, Hader is one of the best relievers in baseball. His stuff is borderline unhittable, and he's definitely a guy the Padres should look to re-sign at the right price. The issue is, I think an extension would be so far beyond what the right price actually is.

Edwin Diaz got a five-year deal this past offseason from the Mets worth $102 million guaranteed. It's the largest contract a reliever has ever signed. It helps when you have Steve Cohen's seemingly unlimited pockets to work with, but that contract is, for lack of better words, insane.

Diaz is great, but relievers are so volatile it makes it very hard to committ long term like that on such massive money.

Last season Hader did not allow a run in his first 18 appearances and 17.2 innings of work. From June 7 until the end of the season, Hader had an 8.07 ERA, losing five games and blowing four saves. A switch can flip in an eyeblink.

Hader is making $14.1 million this season and is a free agent after the year, an extension would require a similar or larger figure for many years. It's just not worth it.