ESPN’s Buster Olney reports the Red Sox and free agent right-hander Liam Hendriks are in agreement on a two-year, $10 million contract.
Olney adds that the deal, which is pending a physical, contains additional performance-related bonuses that can push the total value to $20 million. The deal also contains a mutual option for 2026.
Hendriks who is one of the top closers in baseball over is targeting a late-July or early-August return this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. The 35-year-old veteran closer, who made it back last year after undergoing offseason treatment for Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, could be an option for Boston in the later this season, but this is clearly a move towards next year. Incumbent closer Kenley Jansen time with the Sox appears to be limited, and he is likely going to be dealt at some point before the end of the season.
When healthy the fiery Hendricks is as good as any relief pitcher in the game. The Sox ownership clearly seem to be throwing this season aside with their lack of free agent spending. There is hope for the not-so-distant future with a great crop of prospects on the horizon. Hopefully this move is a signal that they intend on competing next season.
Liam Hendricks is so much fun to watch & easy to root for.
✅ 3x All-Star
✅ Elite competitor
✅ 2023 AL Comeback Player of the Year after beating non-Hodkin lymphomaCurrently recovering from TJS, but will be great to have around esp when healthy.pic.twitter.com/7oZkbseA4M
— Big Sox Guy (@BigSoxGuy) February 19, 2024
Give me Liam Hendricks. pic.twitter.com/H6tOC6gS9L
— Liam Skiffington (@liamskiffington) February 19, 2024