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Oakland A’s: Liam Hendriks not concerned with free agency

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Round at RingCentral Coliseum on September 30, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Round at RingCentral Coliseum on September 30, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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As one of the top relievers available on the market, it is understandable that Oakland A’s closer Liam Hendriks is not concerned with his trek through free agency.

The last two years have completely changed the trajectory of Liam Hendriks‘ career. He has gone from an anonymous middle reliever for the Oakland A’s to one of the top closers in baseball, a dominant force in the bullpen.

This dominance has made his excursion into free agency far more interesting than it may have been. He is one of the top relievers on the market, a coveted arm in a market with few impact players. With virtually every team looking for help in the bullpen, and several wanna-be contenders needing a closer, Hendriks is going to get paid.

Understandably, he is relatively at ease as his free agency unfolds. He is simply letting his agent handle the process, not concerning himself with the day to day minutiae at this point.

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It is easy to see why Hendriks is so highly coveted on the market. Over the past two seasons, he has combined for a 1.79 ERA and a 0.897 WHiP, striking out 161 batters with 26 walks in his 110.1 innings. Any concerns that he may have been a one year sensation were put to rest with his dominant showing last year.

Hendriks also showed his ability in the postseason. He infamously locked down the A’s victory in game three of the Wild Card round after firing 49 pitches the day before. He also pitched the final three innings in the A’s only ALDS victory over the Astros, slamming the door on a lineup that had torched the Oakland pitching staff.

That combination of regular season and postseason success will only help his case. As he is considered to be atop the wish list of several teams eyeing a playoff berth, Hendriks can afford to take his time and make sure that whatever franchise he signs with will be the right fit in every aspect. There is no reason for concern.

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Liam Hendriks is not concerning himself with his trek through free agency. Frankly, the Oakland A’s closer has no reason to.