[Sontagged]

What would preclude Herod from dying a year after Jesus was born?

[Verginius Rufus]

Nothing would preclude Herod from dying a year after Jesus was born, but 4 B.C. was a year before 3 B.C.

Herod ordered the death of boys two years old and younger, based on the information he had obtained from the Magi, implying that the Magi told him that the star began to appear two years before.

The Herod who met with the Magi was the father of Archelaus (Matt.2.22), who reigned from 4 B.C. to A.D. 6.

[HangnJudge]

Herod the Great died in 4 B.C.
If the story that he tried to have Jesus killed is true,
then Jesus could not have been born in 3 B.C.

What would preclude Herod from dying a year after Jesus was born?

You are thinking in the wrong direction of time.
4 B.C. is before 3 B.C.

[ShadowAce]

What would preclude Herod from dying a year after Jesus was born?

4 BC is a year before 3 BC.