Liam Hendriks, an All-Star closer, has finally left the free-agent market. Multiple reports state that Hendriks signed a two-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Hendriks has a strong career, but he hasn’t drawn much attention this winter. This is because he had Tommy John surgery this past summer, which will keep him out of action until the last third of the 2024 MLB season at the very least. The 2025 season is a more likely return date for him.
The Red Sox seem more ready to take a chance than other teams, perhaps in the hopes that after healing from his injuries, Hendriks will return to his normal self.
Should it prove to be true, they will have one of the top closers in the league at a comparatively low cost.
According to ESPN’s Buster Onley, Hendriks’ deal with Boston includes a $10 million guaranteed sum in addition to many performance-based bonuses.
In 2011, Liam Hendriks made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Minnesota Twins. He then played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago White Sox. In addition to being selected twice for the AL Reliever of the Year, he has been chosen an All-Star three times and an All-MLB First Team pick twice.
Hendriks had a 33-34 record, 3.82 ERA, 727 strikeouts, and 116 saves in 13 years in the major leagues.
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