1 San Diego Padres trade, 1 free agent, and 1 internal option to replace Josh Hader as closer

2) Padres free agent target to replace Josh Hader: Jordan Hicks

After Josh Hader, the reliever market really isn't anything to write home about. Guys like Craig Kimbrel, David Robertson, and Aroldis Chapman are available but they're all a bit older now and not as intriguing as they once were. The dream free agency target is Jordan Hicks.

Nobody throws harder, as Hicks ranked in the 100th percentile in fastball velocity averaging 100.1 mph with his sinker. A pitch that fast with movement is not fun to face. He pairs that sinker with a wicked sweeper that generated a whopping 59.5% whiff rate this past season. Again, not fun.

With the St. Louis Cardinals having a down year, they traded the free agent to be at the deadline to the Toronto Blue Jays and Hicks pitched really well for Toronto down the stretch as they tried to get into the postseason. He didn't close, but he posted a 2.63 ERA in 24 appearances serving as the Jays primary set-up man to Jordan Romano.

He's never been a full-time closer, but certainly has the stuff for it. Health has been an issue for the right-hander in the past, but he was able to make 65 appearances this season in his time with St. Louis and Toronto. If he can stay healthy he's dynamic, and when he's on, he's tough to square up. He'd thrive in the closer role in San Diego if he can stay healthy.