The Chicago White Sox have had quite the offseason. With the signings of Lance Lynn to bolster the starting rotation, and Adam Eaton for outfield depth. Now Liam Hendriks, to solidify the bullpen. Rick Hahn really did it again. The deal is a $54 million, 3-year deal with a 4th-year option, that includes a buyout.
Hendriks, a 31-year-old righty from Australia, enters 2021 coming off a tremendous 2020 campaign, in which he went 3-1 with 14 saves and a 1.78 ERA for the Oakland Athletics. He has a career 4.10 ERA; however, he has been a completely different player in the past two seasons, pitching to the tune of a 234 ERA+… Yes, he’s been 134% better than the average reliever in the past two seasons. Ironically, Hendriks had high praise for the White Sox and the future of the club after the conclusion of last year’s game 3 Wild Card contest in which the A’s eliminated the White Sox on October 1st.
This move is exactly what the White Sox needed. They now have, arguably, the best bullpen in the league. A group consisting of the hard-throwing Tennessee Volunteer, Garrett Crochet, who is a great early reliever option, a dependable Aaron Bummer for the eighth, and now a solid closer in Hendriks. While this deal may not be a deal for Trevor Bauer, it is, in my opinion, just as crucial.
35 days until pitchers and catchers report, folks!
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