The approach of free agent Liam Hendriks and the Chicago White Sox agree on a multi-year agreement, pending a physical agreement, sources told Jeff Passan from ESPN.
The deal is for three years and includes an option for a fourth and guarantees Hendriks $ 54 million, sources said.
Hendriks, 31, will earn $ 39 million in the first three years, and the salary for the purchase and for the fourth year for the option is $ 15 million, sources said. If the White Sox turn down the option, they will be able to pay for the purchase over several years.
Yahoo Sports first reported the deal between the Hendriks and the White Sox.
Hendriks, who became a free agent last month when Oakland Athletics failed to make a qualifying bid, has been one of the most effective baseball scouts in the last two seasons, finishing second in the ERA (1.6), fourth in the standings. WHIP (0.87), third in hit ratio (7.2) and tied for eighth in saves (39).
He finished the 2020 regular season with an ERA 1.78 and a second MLB with 14 saves in 15 chances, then recorded a win, a save and an ERA 3.18 in the postseason.
The Australian reliever set the best results in his career, with a ratio of 12.3 shots and 13.1 shots in nine innings last season and was the savior of the year in the American League.
Hendriks became a key player for A’s manager, Bob Melvin, late in the games in the 2019 season. The right-hander, who earned $ 2.15 million in 2019, is the former opener who has become a trusted close. He went 4-4 with a 1.80 ERA and 25 saves over 75 career appearances, covering 85 innings and made the All-Star team for the first time. He turns 32 on February 10.
Hendriks was named for the award on June 25, 2018 – he’s been through it almost half a dozen times now – and then began losing with Oakland’s 7-2 wild card at Yankee Stadium just over three months later.
Near Oakland he received a nice increase when he signed a $ 5.3 million contract a year before 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 an ERA 4.10.