Liam Hendriks is officially leaving the Oakland A’s, as he has signed a three year contract with the Chicago White Sox.
Once the Oakland A’s decided not to place a qualifying offer on Liam Hendriks, the writing was on the wall. It was inevitable that Hendriks would be departing, leaving the A’s for a windfall elsewhere. It was just a matter of waiting to see which team would make the winning offer.
That team proved to be the Chicago White Sox. According to reports, Hendriks is set to sign a three year deal worth $54 million, with a team option for a fourth season.
The White Sox and Liam Hendriks have agreed to a three-year deal with a club option for a fourth, per source; the deal is worth $54M guaranteed.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 12, 2021
The White Sox know first hand what Hendriks can be. After all, they were the victims of his gutsy Game Three appearance, where he notched the save to close out the series after throwing 49 pitches the previous day.
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That bulldog mentality was part of the draw. The White Sox are looking to take that next step forward, to not just reach the postseason, but to win a championship. While Alex Colome had been a solid closer throughout his career, Hendriks offers a different personality and aura for the ninth inning.
Since emerging as the A’s closer, Hendriks has been nothing short of dominant. He has posted a stellar 1.79 ERA and a 0.897 WHiP in 110.1 innings over the past two seasons, notching 39 saves while striking out 161 batters with just 24 walks. He was the 2020 AL Reliever of the Year, and was named to the All MLB Team, fitting honors given his dominance.
While this result was expected, the A’s now have to find a new closer. They have had a great deal of success over the years in regards to taking relievers off of the scrap heap, with Hendriks being one of those success stories. As of now, that next closer may be Jake Diekman, but nothing is set in stone.
Liam Hendriks is officially gone, having signed an impressive deal with the Chicago White Sox. His departure leaves a large hole for the A’s to fill.