Top Free-agent closer Liam Hendriks and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a multiyear deal, pending a physical sources say.
The deal is a three-year deal that will pay Hendriks $39M in the first three years. But both the buyout and fourth-year option salary are $15M, so Hendriks will receive $54M regardless of if the White Sox pick up the 4th year option or buy him out over a period of time.
The White Sox pitching staff next year could include the following:
Lucas Giolito
Lance Lynn
Dallas Keuchel
Michael Kopech
Dylan Cease
Garrett Crochet
Liam Hendriks
Aaron Bummer
Hendriks became a free agent last month when the Athletics decided to not extend to him a qualifying offer. With the deal, the White Sox are getting one of the most dominant relievers over the past two seasons. The 32 year old, has come a long way since being outrighted by the Athletics in 2018 and posting a 4.13 ERA to go along with a 1.458 WHIP. He made the jump to dominance in 2019, where he posted a 1.80 ERA in 75 games leading to his first all star game selection. He continued his success into the shortened 2020 season, where he posted a 1.78 ERA in 24 game and a .671 WHIP. In 2020, he finished 9th in CY Young Voting and 13th in AL MVP Voting.
After making the teams first playoff appearance since 2008, the White Sox have bolstered their pen and will now look to add some depth to the starting pitching and possibly another bat.