The Chicago White Sox made their first playoff appearance last season since 2008 with a core of young talent and solid pitching, and the team appears to be committed to building a roster that will keep them in competition for the foreseeable future.
General manager Kenny Williams continued to attempt to do so on Tuesday, agreeing to a three-year, $54 million contract with star free agent relief pitcher Liam Hendriks.
The Australian righty, a 2019 AL All-Star and the winner of the 2020 AL Reliever of the Year award, became a free agent this offseason after a season that saw him post a 1.78 ERA in 24 games. He was a good bet to get a big deal after finishing each of the last two seasons with a sub-2.00 ERA, and he got just that with the South Siders.
Hendriks profiles as the team’s new closer, giving them a reliable and dynamic arm to help the team close out games. The White Sox already had a good bullpen in 2020, finishing with the seventh-lowest relief ERA in the Majors.
Their new addition will make a good unit even better and add a key piece that they hope will serve them in many Octobers to come.
Hendriks is expected to report to White Sox Spring Training in Arizona next month.
