Free-agent closer Liam Hendriks and the Chicago White Sox agree on a multi-year deal, pending a physical deal, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The deal is for three years and includes an option for a fourth and guarantees Hendriks $ 54 million, sources said.
Hendriks, 31, will make $ 39 million in the first three years, and the buyout and fourth-year option salary are both $ 15 million, sources said. If the White Sox declines the option, they can pay for the buyout over several years.
Yahoo Sports first reported the agreement between Hendriks and the White Sox.
Hendriks, who became a free agent last month when the Oakland Athletics didn’t make a qualifying offer, was one of the most effective relievers in baseball of the past two seasons, finishing second in ERA (1.60), fourth in WHIP (0.87), third in strikeout ratio (7.2) and tied for eighth in saves (39).
He finished the 2020 regular season with a 1.78 ERA and an MLB second-best 14 saves in 15 chances, then went on to record a post-season win, save and 3.18 ERA.
The Australian reliever set career records last season with a 12.3 strikeout-walk ratio and 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings and was Reliever of the Year in the American League.
Hendriks became a staple for A’s manager Bob Melvin late in games during the 2019 season. The righthanded, who earned $ 2.15 million in 2019, is the former opener who became a reliable closer. He went 4-4 with an 1.80 ERA and 25 saves over a career-high 75 appearances spanning 85 innings, making the All-Star team for the first time. He will be 32 on February 10.
Hendriks was assigned for assignment on June 25, 2018 – he has now been through that nearly half a dozen times – then started Oakland’s 7-2 wildcard defeat at Yankee Stadium just over three months later.
The Oakland closer got a nice raise when he signed a $ 5.3 million one-year contract for the 2020 season to avoid salary arbitrage.
In 10 Major League-seasons with the Twins, Royals, Blue Jays and A’s, he has a 19-27 record with 40 saves and a 4.10 ERA.