TODAY: Hendriks’ contract is broken down by MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). The closer will receive a $1MM signing bonus, $11MM in 2021, $13MM in 2022, $14MM in 2023, and then the $15MM option/buyout for 2024. The option will automatically vest if Hendriks is traded.
Jan. 15: The White Sox have formally announced the signing of Hendriks to a four-year, $54MM contract. Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com and Joel Sherman of the New York Post point out an interesting wrinkle in the unique structure of Hendriks’ contract (Twitter link): for luxury-tax purposes, the fourth year comes with a zero-dollar hit. Because Hendriks is guaranteed the full $54MM even over a three-year term, the first three years will come with an $18MM hit (dipped slightly because of the 10-year deferrals if the option is bought out).
The White Sox have never flirted with the luxury barrier, but it’s notable in the event that they increase their spending in future years or in the event that another club wants to borrow the concept for future dealings. Of course, with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire next December, it could be rendered a moot point; it’s possible that new luxury limits and/or new means of determining luxury penalization will be bargained.
Jan. 12: If the White Sox don’t pick up Hendriks’ $15MM option for the 2024 season, they’ll pay him a buyout of that same value but defer it over a 10-year period, tweets USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. That’s an unprecedented structure for a club option that affords the ChiSox the opportunity for substantial up-front cost savings while still guaranteeing Hendriks the full freight of the $54MM — even if the actual present-day value of the contract is weighed down by the potential deferrals.
Jan. 11: The White Sox have reached an agreement with free-agent reliever Liam Hendriks, pending a physical, Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reports. It’s a three-year, $54MM guarantee with a club option for a fourth season, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Both the option and buyout are worth $15MM, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, so the right-handed Hendriks will earn that money regardless of how long he’s part of the team. Passan adds that the White Sox would be able to pay the buyout over multiple years. Hendriks is a client of ALIGND Sports Agency.
So far, this is the largest guarantee given to any free agent during what has been a slow-moving offseason. It comes as a surprise when considering how the winter opened for relievers, as Cleveland waived star closer Brad Hand in lieu of paying him a $10MM option for 2021 and no other team claimed him. After that, it would have been easy expect relievers to continue faring somewhat poorly this offseason, but Hendriks will be paid handsomely. In fact, his deal blows past the three-year, $30MM prediction MLBTR made for him before the offseason.
Just a couple of years ago, it would have been almost impossible to imagine Hendriks at this point. The Athletics outrighted him in July 2018, but he came back with a vengeance as a member of the team that September and carried it over into the 2019 and ’20 campaigns. Hendriks was the majors’ most effective late-game arm during that span, as he pitched to a 1.66 ERA with a similarly astounding 33.1 percent strikeout-walk percentage, piled up 39 saves out of 47 chances, and won American League Reliever of the Year honors in 2020.
Based on what he has done in recent seasons, the 31-year-old Hendriks looks like an enormous loss for the A’s – who didn’t give the hurler a qualifying offer after they knocked off the White Sox in the first round of last fall’s playoffs – and a massive pickup for Chicago. The White Sox earned their first trip to the postseason since 2008 last season, and they’re one of the few teams in baseball that have been active since then. Assuming the Hendriks deal goes through, he’ll be their third noteworthy pickup of the offseason, joining starter Lance Lynn and outfielder Adam Eaton.
Also a former Twin, Royal and Blue Jay, Hendriks should be in line to take over for free agent Alex Colome as Chicago’s closer. The Australia native will be the highest-profile member of a White Sox relief corps that finished seventh in the majors in ERA (3.76) last year, when holdovers Evan Marshall, Aaron Bummer, Matt Foster and Codi Heuer turned in terrific results. With Hendriks coming in, Chicago’s bullpen could be even better in 2021.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
This dropped on Yahoo sports first!
Twitter had it awhile ago, passan
I had fun times playing Yahoo fantasy baseball with my friends. The last season I did play was when I drafted Miguel Cabrera (Triple Crown winner) and a little known rookie named Mike Trout. I ran away with that season easily.
I had great times using the Yahoo search engine and their instant messenger.
I used to Yahoo Sports barefooted in the snow uphill both ways as a young lad.
This is the funniest comment I have seen on this platform
Al0809…that line was one of a plethora from a man who was generally considered one of the best. Now, he’s an old inmate.
Not really very funny at all.
Great story
Lol^^^
This seems like a huge and utterly dumb overpay. Why they couldn’t get a real rightfielder instead of paying for a closer with 1 year of experience, for 3 years and an utterly ridiculous amount of money. He has the 2nd highest salary on the team, almost the first! And they will now complain that they have no money to spend. I’m shocked that they spent the money, but geez… waste it all on a closer. Instead of Eaton for 7 and Hendricks for 18, they could have had Springer. Dumb beyond belief, along with the rest of Chicago sports franchises.
Who would you have liked in RF for that amount of money?
If it is Springer, 25 mil is an overpay and he is not coming for 18 mil.
Springer would help the Sox enormously more than the combo of Eaton and Hendricks. The Sox were under .500 last year vs right handed starters. Lost 2 of 3 in the playoffs. Their answer: Eaton. Springer hit 30 homers in 2019 against right handed pitchers. Eaton hasn’t hit 30 homers in 4 seasons. Springer kills righties, and would have made an enormous difference in their offensive weakness vs righties. Eaton is not a big enough hitter to make any difference at all, if he even plays more than half a season.
Just saying… Hendricks has one season of experience, and a career ERA over 4. Granted he was good, but the Sox knocked him out of game 2 of the playoffs. 18M a year for him? Colome would have been a better choice for less money. Finally they actually spend, which was a shocker, but they do so foolishly. Unbelievable. If they were willing to spend this, they could have gotten Springer for a bit more… and he’s way, way more valuable than Hendricks.
And apparently he wants 30
13/year not 18/yr
Uh, no. Lockdown closer > another corner bat. Guys with Springer’s profile don’t age so well into their mid 30s. Of course, begs the Q whether Liam fits the profile of a lockdown closer.
At least the terms are more reasonable it sounds like, so I stand corrected… 13/year for the first 3 years, then a 15 M option. That’s better than 18M a year for a closer, even if it still is high for a team that has other needs and does not seem willing to spend freely. They are going to need a SP and RF next year, as both Lynn and Eaton will be gone. Anyway hope it works out. Their record vs right handed pitching seemed to be their biggest weakness with a sub-.500 record, they have done little to nothing to help that so far. I hope Liam is worth the money and nothing like he was prior to 2019.
Since they are fully guaranteeing the 4th year, $15M option, this deal will count as a 3/$54M deal against the CWS’ CBT. If they pick up his $15M option in year 4, he’ll count $0 towards the 2024 CBT even though they are paying him $15M for the season. CWS are playing CBT games with this contract.
And you KNOW he’d be willing to play in Chicago?
You are crazy. Name your 7th inning guy, to bummer to Hendricks. See ya later!
Great pickup for the Sox!!!!!
Almost every source evaluating FAs ranks Hendriks as the top reliever available.. The AAV is actually $13MM for 3 years with a hefty buyout if the Sox don’t pick up the 4th year. Colome made $10MM last year and Hand would have made $10MM in 2021 if Cleveland had picked up his option. The Sox may have paid a premium for the best closer available but the deal doesn’t strike me as ridiculously out of line.
Also, later this week the White Sox will announce the signing of Yoelqui Cespedes (Yoenis’ younger brother) who projects as a RF prospect who should make the Majors by 2022 at the latest.. Knowing that the younger Cespedes would soon be in the fold, Hahn would have been foolish to spend top dollar on Springer (who seems to have preferences for playing on the east coast and remaining in centerfield). Springer’s more than 1/2 decade older than most of the players who comprise the talent core of the Sox and he’ll certainly command a contract that guarantees more than the one year plus buyout guaranteed to Eaton.
Eaton was clearly the most experienced RF option that would accept a 1 year deal. Signing Hendriks has made the Sox favorites over the Twins to win the Central and puts them just behind the Yanks in projections to win the AL crown. And, I’d bet Hahn’s not done.
@cubsnomore
Yep. Liam Hendriks gives the White Sox the best bullpen in the AL. This article mentioned other key members like Aaron Bummer, Evan Marshall, Matt Foster and Codi Heuer but neglected one who may be even more impacting…Garrett Crochet.
Crochet will give new manager Tony La Russa an additional overpowering southpaw arm in the bullpen this season before transitioning to their starting rotation in 2022. He is on the same career path the White Sox implemented for Chris Sale after the latter made his southside debut in August of 2010, two months after he was selected as their first round pick in that year’s MLB June Amateur Draft. Crochet was selected in the first round of last year’s draft which was pushed back to July because of the pandemic. He made his MLB debut in September and was then added to the postseason roster where he fanned the only two hitters he faced before being removed for a minor arm strain. Unlike Sale who spent the better part of two months in the minors, Crochet made his pro debut in the big leagues after spending time at the team’s alternate training site due to the cancellation of the minor league season.
Aaron, once again you are spot on !!! That’s a solid bullpen and a great 7th, 8th and closer. Go Sox
Does it work that way, Dorothy? I agree it is $18M per year for 2021-2023 CBT. But, if the option is picked up, I think it is $15M in 2024 plus a $5M retroactive credit back to $13M for ’21-’23.
Assuming there is a minor league season, Crochet will be in the minors getting work in. The guy barely pitched last year with no minor league season and getting injured after a few college seasons early (plus no season after that). And its easier to manage the workload in the minors.. I think he will be stretched out as a starter. Once end of August hits, he will be back in the pen for the stretch run and playoffs. He should throw about 100-120 innings this way.
Relievers can go south quickly.
“They are going to need a SP and RF next year, as both Lynn and Eaton will be gone.”
What’s wrong with that? Both of those guys will be well into their 30’s at that point. Eaton has an injury history, and with his uh, let’s say “husky” physique, I think Lynn would be also be a risk if he signed a contract extension of significant value.
Point being, the Sox flexibility is a STRENGTH, not a weakness. This team doesn’t have a Stanton, Votto, Pujols, Cabrera, etc. It obviously looks stupid in hindsight that a lot of us were griping about Abreu’s extension, but even that was so laughably small compared to some of those nightmare contracts I just mentioned.
“Assuming there is a minor league season, Crochet will be in the minors getting work in”
For the 10,000,000 time, no, he will not be. He’s pitching out of the bullpen this year, assuming he’s healthy. They can (and will) easily manage his innings out of the ‘pen and stretch him out for a starter role (likely in 2022). It’s literally the exact same thing they did with Sale.
Agreed. He’s only in the minors if he struggles mightily.
Dorothy is correct. I misunderstood the article I read concerning options and the CBT. Zero hit for Sox in 2024.
You are the only person that cares about the “CBT”. You post the same thing on every article.
Tf you need Springer for when you have Luis Robert?
This. And Springer won’t be a CF as he moves into his mid 30s.
Robert isn’t going to last very long if he has to cover 3 positions. Still would like Brantley to play LF so Jimenez can play his natural position of DH.
@Superbear29
Luis Robert won’t have to share RF with either Adam Eaton or Adam Engel in 2021 like he had to with Nomar Mazara last season. He will only need to help out Eloy Jimenez in LF, at least until Engel replaces him late in a game when the White Sox have a lead to protect. Of course with Liam Hendriks now closing those victories, none of the White Sox outfielders should see much action patrolling the grass in the 9th inning. lol
That said, I don’t believe the White Sox are done adding pieces this offseason. They are still reportedly in the market for a DH who has enough defensive versatility to play a corner OF position if and when top hitting prospect Andrew Vaughn makes his MLB debut. That hitter will likely be a left-handed bat to give the White Sox a little more balance in their lineup. The front office has a few options in the FA market like Michael Brantley and Joc Pederson along with some potential trade candidates like Andrew Benintendi. If the White Sox do add a player of this ilk, Tony La Russa will then have the option of utilizing Jimenez in the DH role and utilizing the new player in LF, particularly when a RHP starts for the opposition.
Nice dream that those players will be willing to be a bench option on white sox, and that ws will be the high bidder to have the privilege.
Springer would play RF. Obviously, they opted for Eaton (who I guess you could play in LF with Eloy DHing).
Except rumors say Springer doesn’t WANT to play either corner OF spot.
@stymeedone
Andrew Benintendi is a potential trade candidate. If acquired, he would play any role that manager Tony La Russa had in mind for him.
Michael Brantley and Joc Pederson are each FA’s. Of the two, only Brantley would be considered a potential full time player provided he could stay healthy through the entirety of his next contract, a big ‘IF’ in his case. Due to his awful splits, Pederson is a clear platoon player to most potential suitors, especially one deemed a contender. He played that role with the Dodgers and will do so with any other contender he would sign with including the White Sox. He will be priced accordingly and likey take the highest bid for that role. If a non-contender promises him more of a full-time role and a higher contract, Pederson will have to weigh that against a chance to be in the postseason, something he was accustomed to doing ever since he became a regular on the Dodgers active roster back in 2015.
That is the reality of the South Side, you have to over pay a staggering amount to get players to come play for you.
Welcome to Building a World Series team. Yes you over pay sometimes. The fact that they have so many good young players allows them to do this.
I won’t join your pity party.
The reality of the South Side is they have built such a fun clubhouse environment, including an invaluable pipeline to Cuba given the way they took care of Jose Abreva, that they had the good fortune to lock up a young core at below market. This allows them to act decisively and strike first in meeting the demands of Yas Grandal, Hendriks, and Keuchel while other teams hem and haw attempting to haggle over a few million.
The free agent marketplace is not like trying to get the best deal on a Nissan rogue. Top talent are not commodities. There’s only one Liam Hendricks. He who blinks ends up chasing Hector Rondon, Tyler Clippard and Ian Kennedy once the lights come up on the dance floor.
@drasco036
The White Sox won’t need to overpay any free agent in the foreseeable future, not with a predominately young roster ready to contend for multiple championships. The front office was likely competing with the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Astros and perhaps the Mets and Angels for the premier closer in this year’s FA class and arguably the best in all of MLB since he became one with the A’s in 2019. I’m certain the White Sox put in the highest bid but doubt it was significantly above his other offers. Most FA’s will take the highest contract offered but that amount doesn’t necessitate it being an “over pay”.
@cubsnomore
Absolutely. What constitutes an overpay anyway? Some say the Cubs overpaid in prospect currency when they sent Gleyber Torres and others to the Yankees for 3 months of Aroldis Chapman. Cubs fans, including a few jealous ones on this thread, rightfully defended that overpay when the team claimed its first World Series title in 108 years. Time will tell if the Liam Hendriks contract was an overpay, but at least the White Sox will have 3-4 years of him and not a 3 month rental.
Drasco, if that is true, then shouldn’t they be highly commended for doing so rather than using as a crutch to do nothing??
Calls to mind when the Cubs signed Cey for 4/$4.75MM, when he later stated his highest offer was 3/$3MM. I don’t believe the Sox need to OVER pay for talent. They need to come in at the highest however, just as any other MLB team.
The other three seasons he was with the A’s do not count as them “becoming one”?
Correctly, Hendriks (for God sakes White Sox fans spell his name right) has been one of the best closers in baseball for a season and a 1/3.
Interesting, I just read an article on ESPN where Hendriks stated he received an almost identical offer from The Astros but he wants to play in Chicago (South Side). Be well.
You’ve never been in that clubhouse. You have no idea if it’s “fun”.
And the myth of the closer continues, predictably with grotesque overpayment by one of the worst organizations in the sport. Leads have been protected (“saved”) at the same rate as they’ve been since 1890, well before the advent of the modern bullpen. Like Grandal last year, a completely unnecessary.and wasteful expenditure of (evidently) precious resources.
Imagine paying a 31 year old $14 million a year whose sole job–in the most dire circumstances–is to start a 9th inning with a lead and get three outs before two runs score. John McGraw would have used any average joe to do that job. Certainly not any of your best (or most highly paid players). What a con job the role of closer is.
Smart organizations should never anoint anyone closer ever again. It’s a waste of resources all the way around. And in this case, we’re talking a hard thrower who has been ridden pretty hard the past two years…I dunno, guys….
Thanks for your input Avory!
This isn’t likely to work out well for the White Sox. Pitchers realize pitching in Oakland compared to pitching at Sox park – or whatever they call it now – is like pitching in your local playground. Although their food is pretty good.
Haters
Ha ha Dogbone is soooo upset. He can’t trot out his lame “JR” is cheap line for everything. So now he has to eat it and call it an overpay!!! Just desserts baby, eat it up bone. Yum.
You “dunno” baseball.
Totally agree. Should have spent the money on a fulltime player like George Springer and brought back Colome. To pay a part time player that kind of money for pitching 75-100 inning is nuts. If he pitches 75 innings he will make $240,00 an inning. Just totally nuts
@Flaptop Bill
Seriously? We can’t complete the free agent equation just yet but I’d bet:
George Springer + Alex Colome > Adam Eaton + Liam Hendriks (x2)
The equation might equal out if you replace the (x2) with (x3)
It’s actually $13M a year. The fourth is either $15M for one year or broken off and paid over several years. Looks like some people are bitter their teams are cheap AF.
I read two articles today, written by professional baseball writers, stating NOW The White Sox are the team to beat in the AL. AL, not the AL Central, The AL. We will know in October 2021. It will be fun between now and then.
@nelliefox2 I’m a White Sox fan and I’m excited about the team this year. But with so many free agents left to be signed and potential trades to be made, saying anyone is the team to beat “right now” isn’t all that meaningful. The Yankees, Blue Jays, Angels, Astros, and Twins haven’t done much ths offseason, but are all likely to make upgrades between now and opening day. The White Sox have a leg up at the moment because they have already made a few significant moves, and I hope they have one or two more up their sleeves. But I’m gonna wait until closer to the start of the season to proclaim any team the frontrunner for the AL pennant.
You are correct sir. The White Sox, even if they stand pat now, will be entertaining. Now hoping that everyone stays healthy. Be well. Go Sox.
@Oddvark
True enough! That said, the White Sox don’t appear to be done with their additions either. They will likely add one more veteran SP to their rotation and another left-handed bat to their DH/LF mix in order to provide more lineup balance a better defensive alternative for Eloy Jimenez on the grass. A trade for Andrew Benintendi or the signing of FA Joc Pederson would push Eloy to more of a DH role where he belongs, at least when a RHP starts. The White Sox may also be in the market for a veteran backup catcher with a better defensive profile than what Zack Collins and Yermin Mercedes can offer.
If he’s as good as he has been, it’s not an overpay. Closers are not just one position, they are the foundation of your bullpen. Everyone gets better.
At five + million a win, a lock down closer is easily worth three or four wins. A lock down closer greatly increases your chances in the post season.
If he’s a lockdown closer, he’s worth it.
Steve Stone, White Sox TV color commentator and Chicago baseball expert, tweeted a message to the many whining southside fans in the wake of the Liam Hendriks signing:
“This is the time to be deliriously happy. The Sox have a destructive offense. The bullpen is top of the line. The pitching staff as a whole is very good. The manager is a HOFer. The defense is good. Yet some of you are an-hedonists. You’re not happy unless you’re unhappy. Be happy.”
Pointing out the flaw of signing a 31-year-old closer to a massive contract who just two years ago was nothing more than a replacement-level player is not whining. It’s a critique.
Hahn deserves the criticism he gets, because he has shown much more willingness to invest big money annually in aging relievers, only to have those deals in many cases blow up in his face.
Pointing out the already solid strength of the bullpen in comparison to the black hole at DH and the questionable platoon in RF — two positions where the White Sox have been historically bad at over the past two years, and positions where Hahn has opted to go for cheap one-year options as opposed finding a solid solution for each position. There is also a major concern with the 5th starter, given that you don’t know when Kopech will be ready, and can’t rely on Lopez.
This is my concern. I have more faith that the team would have had a solid bullpen without Hendricks, then the team having a solution at RF with a declining Eaton and platoon player in Engel, at DH with whoever they try to plug in before Vaughn is ready — which may not be until next year. And I have more faith in the existing bullpen not being as much of a factor if you add a proven vet like Quintana.
I hope Hendricks is great, because if he isn’t, it’s going to be an absolute albatross of a contract. And even if he is, the team may still have potential holes at positions where they have had holes going back five years.
That’s a critique. A legitimate one. If you have a problem with that, and what to project about someone’s happiness, that more sounds like you have the problem.
@max, I would agree wholeheartedly if the Sox hadn’t lost Colome. They needed a closer and spent a few more $ to get arguably the best one in the game, certainly the best one available. Without him, they’d have to give the role to someone untested. It can work out, as in the case of Jenks, but that’s far from a guarantee.
I would rather the Sox had gone after Springer than Hendriks/Eaton, though. I know the former would have cost more than the combined $20.5M, but worth it for an all-star who plays pretty much every day. I’m not sure what the best DH solution is. Part of me wants them to get Cruz, but if he wants a 2-yr deal, what do you do with Vaughn? A trade for a guy like Castillo pushes them into win-now mode, but holding Vaughn for an absolutely lethal offense might be the smarter long-term play.
Still, the White Sox did do something that should help the team beyond 2021, so I’m at least happy about that.
I believe the White Sox are thinking Yoelkis Céspedes may be ready to take over RF in 2022. If that is the case RF is filled with a young talented inexpensive player. This leaves cash for starter, a DH, a first baseman or whatever the 2021 off season presents. Go Sox.
@maximumvelocity
Had the Chisox front office earned the benefit of the doubt, it would be one thing. But they haven’t. Purchasing a luxury when there are other areas of need only raises further questions about the ability of the braintrust to capitalize on the opportunity this team presents.
And I agree with you; a critique that is skeptical of the priorities demonstrated by this organization is hardly whining. It merely points out the patently obvious. Let’s face it, the White Sox are notorious for making the least out of the most. Were I a Sox fan, I’d have every reason to be concerned by precious payroll resources being frittered away needlessly on a high risk closer.
Had the Sox shored up RF and DH instead, this team rarely would even NEED a closer given the number of runs they’d score.
Exactly. They best closer is a three+ run lead in the 9th inning.
The team could and still can pursue a player who can help in the outfield. I know Ozuna has his limitations, but he’s no worse than the guys they have put in right going back to Avi, but he murders the ball.
Getting him on a two/three year deal let’s you give Vaughn a full season in the minors to get ready. And then you can put Ozuna in right field fir a season. If not Ozuna, get a guy like Eddy Rosario for two years, who will at least be an above average player who can protect you against Eaton’s inevitable injury. They can probably still do that, BTW, because I don’t think he will cost much. They if you let him or Eaton walk, you have spot for Vaughn, but still have a RF option.
I just don’t like the approach of kicking the can down the road hoping young players are the answer. Sometimes, they aren’t.
@max, I agree that sometimes young players aren’t the answer, but what’s the point in building a strong farm if you don’t let them try? I’ll grant that the White Sox are contenders now and so can afford less to have gaping holes in their lineup or rotation, but I do believe Vaughn at least deserves a long look at DH. I agree that Eaton is not the answer in RF; I’d have much rather had Rosario. I don’t think they go after Ozuna, but maybe they’ll surprise me.
@nelliefox2
It’s hard to bank on any prospect but in the case of a #1 international talent, especially one from Cuba, I would tend to agree with your comment. Yoelkis Céspedes may not have quite the upside of Luis Robert but he is older and more experienced at 23 than what Robert was back in 2017 when the White Sox signed him. Céspedes will be on a much faster track to his MLB debut and hopefully be the White Sox starting RF by 2023. Adam Eaton does have a team option for the 2022 season which I believe will be picked up after a successful 2021 with the White Sox.
Btw: I believe January 15th is the first day that players from the 2020/2021 international class can be officially signed. That would include not only Céspedes but also Cuban RHP Norge Vera with the White Sox. Ironically, that is also the same day (Friday) when arbitration eligible players need to exchange figures with their teams before they have potential hearings to settle their 2021 contract ahead of spring training. The White Sox still have two arb-eligible players remaining in SP’s Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. Giolito is a prime candidate for a contract extension while Lopez has been mentioned (mostly by me, lol) as a potential trade piece going back to the Red Sox in a rumored package for Andrew Benintendi.
Confirmed that Friday, January 15th is the official beginning of the 2020/2021 international signing period that was pushed back due to the pandemic: mlb.com/news/july-2-international-signing-period-m…
There should be plenty of news regarding the official signings of most of the top prospects who have been linked to teams over the past year and a half. This will also coincide with the deadline date for players and teams to submit arbitration contracts for those eligible players not yet signed.
If this isn’t the best example of how the Sox have to overpay a player to agree to play for them, then I’d like someone to tell me, what is.
Archie Bradley signs for 1 year, for $6M.
Sox have to pay at least 3 times that for a similar reliever, for either 3 or maybe 4 years!!
Well done, put it on the board. Lol.
That’s a lot of money. I’m glad that the Phillies did not sign him because 54 million is way too much. Although, he has been a good reliever in the past seasons. However, I wouldn’t be comfortable giving that contract after been great for two seasons with the Athletics.
Seems like they paid a lil too much in this market. Other years not so much. Let’s see what the other relievers get.
The deal is for more than just this year, though, and it seems with the vaccine available, we should be returning to some semblance of normalcy soon. This deal is less than they paid Robertson years ago and significantly less than Kenley jansen’s deal. If he keeps performing like he has the past two years (big if with a reliever, I know), this deal will look like a bargain.
Phillies were never in on him.
Tigers,Orioles, and Marlins weren’t in on him.
When i first saw the headline, i thought – WTH Phillies. Then i saw the dollar amounts. Wow. Big contract. Congrats to Hendricks. White Sox are an exciting team.
His sub 7 ERA is way too low for the Phillies.
For four years? K.
Missed this story when it first broke on Yahoo sports. Compuserve has been pretty flaky. Need to upgrade my modem to 28.8
My free aol trial just ended so I missed it as well.
My Prodigy account works
I asked Jeeves about it. Still waiting…
Someone picked up the phone and I lost my connection. Gotta enjoy the squealing again and wait five minutes for the page to load.
It’ll take Hendricks just as long to count his new fortune, a serious overpay by Chicago.
Ahem.
OK, time for the fans of teams that lost to call it an overpay. Funny how they never worry about an overpay when their team wins the bidding. So lame and predictable……you may begin gentlemen.
I thought it was overpay and im a Nats and we didnt need him. He deserved it but im always conscious about paying reliever that much. Jansen and Davis great example. But its Davis fault for going to Coors lmao
Yeah, it’s definitely not fans being homers and trying to justify their teams’ actions…
People need to understand what this site does and doesn’t do. It doesn’t break stories. It monitors dozens of sites and puts all the data in one place for easy access. Then it adds its own slant by people who really know the game.
Sure, there are some typos and grammar mistakes, but would you rather have a baseball expert writing these stories or an English major?
You would think by now people would understand what this site does and doesn’t do.
Would be fun to be a white Sox fan right now.
It’ll be real fun if we get some starting pitching and a proven DH.
Yes. As a White Sox fan I’m dreading a rotation headed up by 3 TOR’s in Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel and Lance Lynn. It’s also no “fun” contemplating young power arms like Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech and eventually Garrett Crochet (2022) competing for the other two spots. Additionally most pundits still expect the White Sox to add another significant veteran SP to their 2021 rotation before opening day.
It also sucks that the White Sox now have the best bullpen in the AL with the addition of Liam Hendriks to close out games. And that lineup, it really blows but it just might get a little better when Rich Hahn does add a DH/OF to the mix while Andrew Vaughn is fine tuning his elite bat at AAA to begin the new season.
Btw: It’s bad enough having to read all the crap from jealous Cubs fans but is this the best you can do?
WS bullpen reminds me of the 2014 Royals. Go Sox !!!
Aaron, you were claiming to be a fan of the Cubs also – just months ago, in a post.
We all know your loyalty, just don’t be a hypocrite when you post arguments.
More fun to be a Padres fan though 😉
Wait, I thought the Jays were going to sign Hendriks ????
No, we’ll settle and sign Jordan Zimmerman to a minor league deal.
Lmao I feel so bad for you.
To be honest, if I had to rank the best teams in baseball as currently constructed (meaning ignoring all potential deals for the rest of the offseason), I’d say the Dodgers are still #1, Padres #2, and White Sox #3. There are a few other strong contenders in there, but yeah, a great time to be a fan of any of those teams.
As a White Sox fan, I wish our owner was as eager to spend as yours. Any combo of Springer / Bauer / Cruz would all look great wearing black and silver. Also a little jealous of the farm. I know the depth has taken a hit with the trades, but you managed to keep Gore and most of your other top pieces. I honestly hope you guys take the Dodgers down a peg and force them to be a WC. Don’t care as much who makes it to the WS from the NL, but this is as excited as I’ve been about a new season in a while.
The last I heard, going by team fWar, the White Sox now rank slightly behind the Yankees. That makes them second in the AL.. Given that they’re about to sign the younger Cespedes, who looks to be the Sox rightfielder by 2021 at the latest, I doubt they’ll be interest in pursuing Springer. With a rotation of Giolito, Kuechel, Lynn, and Cease with Kopech, Lopez, Stiver, Crochet and other talent arms in the wings, I think the Sox would be better served adding a mid-tier FA starter (Quintana, Paxon, etc) than attempting to out-bid the Angels, Mets or whoever for Bauer’s services. I believe that they do need an DH. I’d much prefer Brantley over Cruz.
I’m a long time White Sox fan and this is the most fun since 2005 which came as a bit of surprise. This is going, more or less, according to plan.
Must be. Easy pick to win the Central right now.
Crochet, Bummer, Heuer, possibly Kopech in cue to close.
Team has no ready DH, lack of rotation depth, suspect platoon in right field with zero help coming from minors.
Not excited at all. This is dumb.
Are you seriously concerned about the DH spot on January 11? I don’t foresee much problem filling that spot, man.
If the Yanks signed him I’d be ecstatic. But you do you, bro.
Yes, I am concerned, considering the team has had sub-replacement production from DH for five straight years.
You can find closers via mid-season trades for second-tier prospects, or from the system.
Crochet and Kopech project to be starters, Kopech this year.
Almost no one has Crochet as a starter. Kopech, yes. But he’ll be on an innings limit coming off TJ
Crochet will be a starter by 2022 at the latest. Kopech is 2 years off the surgery. It’s not like the top 3 pitchers need to be replaced after going through the lineup 1.5 times either.
Agreed bencole. Crochet has mid rotation potential if he can improve his control and fine tune his changeup and curve. However that command issue is huge, as well as the fact he never got stretched out as a starter before the pandemic.
Personally, I think Crochet has the tools to be elite even with his control issues. But, that is strictly in the sense as an elite reliever. I know the Sox will work into into being a starter and I think he has the foundation to be a good third starter, but I think he can deliver better value being a lockdown reliever.
Crochet will be a TJS candidate this year.
Agreed. But I was thinking next year. He’s hasn’t been stretched out as starter and has a lot to work on with command. Coupling those two things with his velocity won’t bode well for that arm. But also expected sale to have it sooner than he did, so the Sox probably have their finger on the pulse more than me.
@bencole
What’s so surprising about a backend starter being on an innings limit? Isn’t that the definition of a backend starter? Someone who won’t go deep into games? If they went deep into games consistently, they wouldn’t be a backend starter!
Dogbone might be one of the bitter Cubs’ fans on this site! Surprisingly you still come on here!
Define “ready DH.” I’d argue Yermin Mercedes is ready to DH. “Unproven” is the word you’re looking for, and with a lineup like theirs, they can afford to give him a shot. There’s almost no chance that he’s worse than EE was last year; same goes for the RF platoon compared to Mazara.
The Sox history of signing “ready” DHs in recent years has been terrible — e.g., Adam Dunn, LaRoche, Yonder Alonso, Encarnacion. Maybe it’s time to give Yermin Mercedes and Andrew Vaughn a shot. (Though I’d be happy if they signed Brantley or Cruz or Ozuna or Rosario or Puig.)
Mercedes would only be up for a couple of months before Vaughn comes up. They do need a LH power hitter. Why Eaton didn’t make sense with both Brantley and Pederson on the market.
If Yermin Mercedes were viable, he should have been playing the last two seasons. Vaughn hasn’t played above A ball yet. He may not be ready entire season.
In 2020 getting nothing out of right field and very little from DH, they still were 2nd in AL in runs scored.
Eaton/Engel in right better than Mazara. Anyone better than Encarcion at DH.. Not having co-vid slow down Moncada. Scoring runs isn’t the biggest issue. They had to improve starting and relief pitching which looks like they have
Yes, they absolutely should have been playing Mercedes the last 2 seasons. Their incompetence led them to give ample opportunities to Wellington Castillo and Edwin Encarnacion instead. Now they have no clue what they actually have in Mercedes and Collins, 2 players that raked in AAA. This was/is a massive failure by the organization.
I hope it is Mercedes at DH. Don’t miss an AB for Mercedes or Robert. – they or fun to watch !!!
@Oddvark, not so happy with Puig, but strong yes to any of the others.
You should quit being a fan
Guess where else you had holes at? The bullpen. This is massive for y’all. Be happy you big dope.
Rotation depth: Kopech, Cease, Reyno, Stiever. Or did they change the rules to require a 20 man rotation?
Crochet in a year or so. They are loaded at pitching depth.
Kopech may not be ready, which is why they need a proven arm. Cease should be fine, but we’ve all seen enough of Lopez to know he ain’t it, and Stiever probably needs some more work.
Not being dark. I just think you can use that money better elsewhere, especially because they DO have solid options in bullpen. And generally, throwing money at relievers is a bad investment.
Name me a World Series winner with a no name closer.
sign a 1 yr bounceback guy like Kluber and make them final spots in the rotation a dog fight
No name closer WS winner. How about the 2005 White Sox? With a rookie DFA pickup in Bobby Jenks.
The Nats used closer by committee in 2019. It was in part because Sean Doolittle, the last A’s closing sensation, fell off the rails during the season. Daniel Hudson was used in championship, they went back to Doolittle in WS. That is always the danger with closers, which is why they are bad investments.
Ah, ah, ah…………….can’t !!!!
Not like Kluber – KLUBER. !!! Go Sox
Hey maximumvelocity, just enjoy the ride. You’re playing the role of a gloomy South Side fan too well.
Is the #3 overall pick Andrew Vaughn staying in the minor leagues all season? Zero help?
@maximumvelocity
Zero help from the minors? What baseball reality are you living in?
All 4 of the White Sox current top-100 prospects will be on the opening day MLB roster or at AAA waiting for an imminent promotion to the big league club at some point this season. Nick Madrigal will be the starting 2B barring a setback with his shoulder rehab. Garrett Crochet will be in White Sox bullpen on opening day or a bit later if they play the service time game with him. Michael Kopech will likely start the season in AAA Charlotte’s rotation stretching out his arm and fine tuning his command after missing all of 2019 rehabbing from TJ surgery and 2020 due to a personal opt-out in the midst of a pandemic. Finally, top prospect and elite hitter Andrew Vaughn will be getting in some reps versus AAA pitching before making his MLB debut later this summer at DH and as Jose Abreu’s 1B backup.
There’s also a decent chance the White Sox will carry three catchers in 2021 and utilize #3 slugger Yermin Mercedes as a right-handed hitting DH until Vaughn makes his anticipated debut in 2021. The White Sox will also have a few other young power arms ready at AAA as insurance in case the bullpen runs into some injury or sophomore jinx issues this season. They would include Zack Burdi and Tyler Johnson, among others.
On top of all this, the White Sox are still very much in the market for an additional veteran SP and an experienced hitter, likely left-handed, who can DH and play a corner OF position.
It doesn’t surprise me that some jealous or pissed off Cubs fans are chirping here. What shocks me is some of the crap I’m reading from alleged White Sox fans. The front office had 3 primary concerns to address this offseason, a veteran TOR, a proven closer and a RF. They checked those boxes with Lance Lynn, Liam Hendriks and Adam Eaton. Rick Hahn still has a month before spring training begins and another 5 weeks in Glendale to address a potential need for more starting pitching, an experienced DH and perhaps a veteran backup catcher with some defensive acumen. After all this, your final comment response is, “This is dumb”, something I will borrow and use for all the Sox fan whiners.
First, I’m very much a WS fan.
Second, in terms of depth in the outfield, and rotation, the depth is thin. Lopez has not been good, Stiever needs more polish, and we have no idea what Kopech will be able to do this year. Crochet as a starter is also in the future.
Vaughn may very well be good. But he’s also not ready yet, and thinking he will be this season is a stretch.
My point? That sum of money, when the dust settles, could have likely been used on a bat like Brantley, and another starter like Quintana to help the team win this season. Or, you could have not signed an also-ran like Eaton, and gone after Springer or Bauer.
Spending that amount of money on a closer is a questionable use of resources, and Hahn has had far better luck finding relievers off the scrap heap than through paying players.
Great job Mr Hahn. Do you have money left over for a veteran bat like Brantley.?
Spot on!
Their OF depth is thin Max. But having three that could cover CF is fantastic. When Eloy does his annual 15-day DL wall-crash stint, having Engel, Roberts, and Eaton patrol the OF is a heck of a defensive unit. Very few are better.
The White Sox OF depth is hardly “thin”. Aside from the mix you alluded to, they will also have super-versatile Leury Garcia on their active roster as their 5th OF along with being an INF backup at SS, 2B and 3B. Garcia has already demonstrated the ability to play solid OF defense including CF with his blazing speed and cannon arm.
Aaron, when I win BOTH Lotteries this week I am buying The White Sox and coming for YOU. Hope you like being my GM !!!! Be well. I over pay also.
They just wanted to make sure they never had to face him in the postseason again.
What a performance he put on. If you haven’t seen his Game 3 save do yourself a favor & check it. So worthwhile.
Seems like maybe an overpay? But he *is* the best relief arm available. I have a feeling now that we know how long of a season is being planned we’ll see a flurry of activity.
Good for the White Sox, man. They’re going to be a tough club, serious.
Sox knocked him out of Game 2!
Didn’t see it. But wasn’t that the game he threw 60(!) pitches?
49 pitches. And then he came out the very next day and made Sox hitters look like they’ve never seen a fastball before.
He also absolutely shut down the Astros in a 3 inning appearance the following round. This guy goes balls to the wall when he’s out on the mound.
So what , He knocked the sox out of the playoffs what’s your point !!
Yeah, there’s no risk at all in a 31 year old reliever who throws hard and is used in that manner.
I mean, this signing is ludicrous. Hasn’t anyone ever seen what happens to guys like this? They go –POOF!– more often than not. Remember when the Rockies tried to buy a complete bullpen by throwing money at it? The White Sox are even dumber, throwing a ton of money at one teeny part of an already fine bullpen. Jeez, what numbskulls. Betcha this was a LaRussa recommendation. “GET ME ECKERSLEY!”
So you’re telling me that the Rockies trying to buy an entire pen is even close to related to the Sox signing the best closer in baseball? Wow. This is called “rounding out”, it happens when you have a “good” thing – by many standards – though you proceed to make it great by topping it off. They had Colome – who is now on the FA market – and they needed to fill his spot in the pen. Yes, this costs more, but this could very well pay dividends for years to come.
Let’s sign Kimbrell 3 years 60 million hahaha. He’s a hall of famer hahaha. He’s better than Mariano hahaha
Overpay is relative. Sox have locked in savings for their core of TA, LouBob, Moncada and Eloy so can afford to spend a little.
Correct
It is !!!
About time!
Another player the Jays had “interest” in. Shatkins is a joke! Worst off-season ever!
And Mets lol
Yeah, but at least the Mets are making bug moves! The Blue Jays will be interested in every player only to sign bums like Bradley Jr and Kolten Wong. Dumpster Diving!
Wong and Bradley are hardly dumpster diving. That said, I expect they’ll do better.
I mean, they’re ok, but I wouldn’t give either any million dollars and I expect them to sign for $3-5 million per year. (Yes I know that’s way under their projections but I still think they’re hat they sign for)
*thats what they sign for
Like “making moves” means anything other than satisfying those who feel action is synonymous with accomplishment.
The off-season is over?
Dude. 18 x 3 for him is ridiculous. I am glad the jays didn’t do that. Major overpay. Would much rather have Springer at 23 per or DJLM at 20 per year.
With the depth of the free agent class I would be willing to let the sox when this sweepstakes. Try my luck with one of the other guys. He is fantastic, I am just thrifty. Give me Pederson,jbj,Archer,Felix,Hamels, etc and a reliever. Or just 2 relievers in case on gets hurt or stinks.
The Sox have been down that road enough times, rolling the dice on a former all star who might rebound. I’m not crazy about the money spent but they decided on a proven closer who can be dominant.
It’s 3/39 with a 15 option for a 4th year
It’s 54 million guaranteed with a club option on year 4. 18 for 3 years guaranteed
From a CBT perspective you are correct (3/54). From a cash outlay it is 13/13/13/15. So if they keep him for year 4, he counts $0 against the CBT that year even though he will be paid $15M.
Neither of those 2 are proven closers
Sox not done yet!
@stimpyi
Sox are more likely to get value thru the last year of Hendricks contract, than whoever signs Springer or DJLM. It’s not just the amount, its the years.
LOL! You’re right that someone’s a joke,. is it only 14 year olds that comment on baseball in Canada? Good to see they have computer access, but reading their tantrums online becomes tiresome,.
and for $18 million a season for a closer, I am glad they missed out.
$13 mil x 3 years plus $15 mil year 4
He is getting 54 million guaranteed for 3 years with a 4th year club option. He is guaranteed 54 million
Wrong. They fully guaranteed his 4th year, $15M option so under CBT rules, the value of that guaranteed money has to be pulled forward into the first 3 years of the deal. So from a CBT perspective, it is 3 years @ $18M and Year 4 @ $0. From a cash payout perspective, he is paid over 4 years as follows: 13/13/13/15. So his average salary is $13.5/yr for 4 years and if he stays dominant, he’ll count as $0 against the CBT in 2024. They did this ‘on purpose’ as some of their younger guys will be getting paid a lot more in 2024 so this balances out their CBT long term. Not saying I agree he’s worth that much but if he holds up, this is a creative contract design.
ENOUGH about the CBT! Get a different angle no one cares.
Apparently u missed the record breaking contract. You’re better off without him. Way to much guarantee money and dumbest buyout in mlb history.
white sox management is pretty bad. Like that ol investment commercial. “Just throw some money at it” how much u pay him ? A bagillion
Look at the rest of their commitments, and the way “pretty bad White Sox management” have sewed up their core of TA, Lou Bob, Moncada and Eloy. Prior to that, they leveraged savvy below market contracts of Sale, Quintana and Eaton into prospect capital.
Really? You would have preferred that Shapiro and Atkins give more than 18M/year over 3 years to a 31-year old releiver who was overworked like crazy the last two years in Oakland and has already failed as a Blue Jays pitcher twice? You’re talking nearly RYU AAV for a guy who pitches 1-2 innings.
So far I’m happy with Shapiro and Atkins’ off season. They avoided giving up a young major leaguer and 3 top-10 prospects for a year of Lindor, avoided paying the unproven Tsugano Jake Odorizzi money, avoided guaranteeing the unproven Kim that he will be kept in the major leagues should he struggle, and are still in on multiple other targets.
I’m fine with a reasonable overpayment – an extra million or two a year over what a guy is worth, sure. An extra year if the guy is really good and that year is age 36 or earlier, sure. But this is money no sane front office should be paying Hendrix. Super releived the Jays didn’t pay that.
I don’t disagree that Hendricks got WAY too much money for a reliever, but he’s another possible high end target that’s now off the board, which is infuriating. If they thought that they could’ve gotten Lindor to sign an extension, they should have given up as many prospects as it takes, Lindor is a once in a lifetime talent, much like Trout, Betts, Soto, Etc. You say you’re happy they’re still “in” on other targets, but are they really? The Mets are still a threat to Springer, the Phillies may splurge on JTR, DJLM still has yankee connections, and as far as Bauer goes, I have no clue where he’s leaning. That leaves Tanaka and Turner. Tanaka has hinted he may go back to Japan, and Turner probably wants to stay in LA.
It’s easy to say throw as many prospects at Cleveland as it would’ve taken, but Cleveland didn’t just want prospects, they wanted some MLB-ready talent, which the Jays couldn’t afford to part with (namely Gurriel). So they took what was reportedly a lower-upside deal from the Mets that had some MLB-ready players in it.
Frustrated that he’s off the market but think he’s an overpay.
So you’re just angry at a lack of headlines. Come on, grow up.
@Reuven
Bingo. Excellent commentary. Shapiro and Atkins are playing the smart game; the others are seeking headlines. No one wins with headlines. Ever.
With that logic, why ever attempt to acquire a star player? Just keep signing mediocre players and say you’re not trying to “win the offseason”. Guess what? The dodgers won the offseason last year in getting Mookie, and they just won a title. The only true stars on this team right now are Bichette and Ryu, significant additions are needed.
Yep. Better to overpay and keep the prospects. No draft pick comp either with Hendriks. Giving up a Gleybar for a month of Chapman (Cubs, 2016) scenario is something the Sox can avoid. If Cubs lose that game 7 that move would have been brutal. They won so all good.
People are still trotting out the stupid shatkins thing?
Build top tier farm while having significant young talent already called up and makes playoffs ahead of schedule but doesn’t sign Hendricks – AWFUL.
Clown.
They still have plenty to prove. And let’s stop cheering that playoff appearance. They made it thanks to the expanded format. When they start winning divisions we can pat them on the back for making the postseason.
Other than that, you are right. Closer is not priority #1 for the Blue Jays. This signing is not the one to fret over.
Agreed that they’re not there yet but the progress has been happily surprising both with respect to the farm and main club. More pointing out that the asinine “shatkins durrrr” nonsense is…well, asinine nonsense I guess.
It’s the “you get what you paid for” scenario, and Rogers likes to work on as small a budget as possible. But I get what you’re saying. I’m not a huge fan of the organization’s major league talent evaluation. Prospects are a different story.
This regime has done better at building the system than the previous 2 regimes, but they need to close deals. No more pumping up scrubs like Derek Fisher.
No it wouldn’t.
Huge overpay.
I thought the same at first glance, then realized that they have so many young guys on the cheap and it’s only a 3 year deal, providing long term flexibility.
That doesn’t make it a overpay. Just because you have young players that not a excuse to overpay for a player by like 20 million. And it’s effectively a 4 year contract with this odd buyout.
I can’t for the life of me figure out why teams don’t have incentives for the options at the end of the contract. Win reliever of the year guarantees the option. Get 40 saves option guaranteed. Make these guys actually earn the options.
I’m more confused with the final year being called an option year rather than a deferred salary. Maybe I’m just pessimistic, but it seems like it could be a tactic used in the future to the detriment of the players.
We all know the nationals became known for deferred money. The Chris Davis has deferred money. The obvious time value of money benefits the team and the player gets a percentage added to the top.
Deferring a buyout without added percentages on top would be essentially giving 4/54 million contract for less than $54 million. Your taking the “cap hit” on for the full amount in the final year buyout or not but not paying the equivalent afterwards.
I love how people know it’s a bad signing before a player even puts on the uniform.
Massive overpay
That seems like a lot, wow.
Ehh, he’s basically a closer. Jansen gets paid 20 million. Mark Melancon was signed to a 4 year 62 million contract. Hendriks is a phenomenal pitcher.
@dixon for 2 years, elite production mediocre the other 5/6 years. Kenley had strong production before the wheels fell of last year
Kimbrel gets 20k and he’s not even a closer. Let them pay it’s not your money. They aren’t hurting for cash
Seemed like the WS would do whatever it takes to sign Hendricks. No doubt they were willing to overpay to land him. Big boost to the bullpen in year 1. Relievers are volatile…
This was not a good deal at all.
So this tells me they’re gonna either send Crochett to the minors or they just envision him as a long relief for 2021. 18 million a year for a closer though….
Idiots – it is NOT $18 mil/year
Correct! It’s $18M against the CBT for 3 years with the 4th year counting as $0. He basically got a 4 year, $54M deal, paid at 13/13/13/15. So his contract is less than what Melacon got from the Giants; it’s just structured differently for CBT purposes.
@ChisSox Fan
You’re right, it’s probably FAR MORE when you consider with his profile he might be done after one season! How’s $54m for one year, or $27m per year for two years sound? That’s more likely than a hard-throwing, overused reliever like Hendriks being good for four frickin’ years.
The incompetent reputation of the White Sox management endures.
Avory – Hendricks has 10 years experience averaging slightly over 50 IP a year. In his last 5 years he has pitched 64, 64, 24, 85 and 25 IP. Other than 2019 he’s only had high innings for a reliever in 2012. OVERUSED is a gross exaggeration as a generalization about the guy. He is older and is receiving $13.5M a year for 4 years. That’s not outrageous money for a guy rated at the top of the closer charts.
You can’t go into the post season with someone you hope is a legitimate closer and save $5M getting him. You need a guy with experience. If he pitches like 2019 and 2020 his value will translate to close to $20M making this a steal not an overpay.
Since performance is NEVER guaranteed, this deal makes sense for the Sox. Heck, the year for AAV allows the team cap room to sustain their runs for championships. Could he be a bust? Sure but every closer can go from stud to bust in a year. Many bounce back but some don’t. Who could have predicted how worthless Yates would be in 2020? Can you predict if Kenley Jansen will look like the old Kenley or is he done? If he’s not done and you throw him away you look foolish and if you keep him and he’s done you look foolish. Hendricks has back to back performances that reassure Sox fans that he’s the real thing.
Other than Yates, who is coming off a bad year, who else are you going to get to face the Yankees or TB in the 9th during a playoff run?
To be fair, Yates’ problem was that he had bone chips in his elbow. If he was healthy, I think he could have done better.
He’s a starter
At least that’s what he was drafted as. I think they said he’ll be in the bullpen though
He’s likely on the Chris Sale plan. A 6’6″ skinny fastballer beginning with a year or two in bullpen and then starting after building up strength..
This changes absolutely nothing with the Crochet plan. He was always going to be in the bullpen this year, and assuming he stays healthy and performs, he’ll be starting in 2022. It’s exactly how they developed Sale, and it’s exactly what they plan on doing with Crochet.
Yes he will start in minors to get another year of control. That’s how it works.
Hendriks on the south and Hendricks on the north side of town.
Nice deal
Who is Shatkins?
Ross Atkins. Toronto GM.
Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins are lovingly known as Shatkins in Toronto.
Thanks for the clarification.
Not a bad deal for the White Sox….they have to be big favorites to win AL Central.
Wow. Too much money for a reliever.
This is gonna break Bauers’ heart. He wanted so much to be CWS’ next target, and I guess that didn’t happen, boo
Bauer still can be a ChiSox.
1 year big deal!
I don’t think the Sox want him – at any $$ for any length of contract.
Oooouuu that’s a lot of money. He has been damn good for a while now but this feels like a lot.
Pretty small price for the best closer in baseball.
A mere bag of shells!!
Is there such a thing as underpay in MLB?
Ozzie Albies
Ronald Acuna feels insulted
Amen. Glad to have him on the cheap contract
Ik the Mets didn’t give him a contract but the Mets have a better hitter for cheaper in McNeil.
he isn’t even close to as good as Albies, get real dude.
Way to go sleeping Twins.
How about Trevor Rosenthal also for a super bullpen? Don’t build a team to win the Central, Sox need a few more pieces for depth still.
How about Brad Hand instead? Then they can get rid of Fry and go with Bummer/Hand/Crochet from the left side.
How about Ruth for DH, Eckersley and Fingers for bullpen depth, Cy Young for mop up duty, and Willie Mays for late inning defense!? All on cheap one year deals.
Yes, because signing Brad Hand is such an unrealistic option. I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make here, but whatever you think you’re doing, it’s not working. Move on.
How about a DH and 5th starter?
They have 3 guys at the top of the rotation that consistently go deep into games. Building a strong bullpen will be more beneficial in trying to win a ring than adding a mediocre 5th starter (6th starter once Kopech is ready).
You ideally should have 8 reasonable starters available for a 162 game season, not all on the active roster, of course, but depth to withstand injuries, etc. I guess the Sox could currently count 7 reasonable starters as Giolito, Lynn, Keuchel, Cease, Kopech (hasn’t pitched since 2018), Lopez (hasn’t been good in 2019-20), and Stiever (minor leagues). I think it would be smart to sign one more back-end starter (or better).
They already have makings of a strong bullpen. Bummer, Crochet, Heuer and possibly Kopech could of closed. That’s the thing about the A’s. They let younger players take the role.
I’d rather they spend any money on another SP or go after Brantley (or even Rosario), who can platoon with Engel and do DH when he’s not in the field. Their BP isn’t the problem, certainly not after getting Hendriks. Getting any real production from RF/DH is.
Worth it, we couldn’t beat him so we signed him
$54M?! White sox are morons but I guess we knew that when they traded Tatis Jr. for Shields.
Tatis hadn’t even played a single game at the time and they had 2 other SS above him.
They also still have Tatis younger brother so there’s that.
Tatis wasn’t even in the top 30 in his international signing class, and hadn’t played a game stateside. To think that everyone knew he was a stud is such revisionist history, it borders on clinical dementia.
Tatis was coming off a great Little League season. Four HRs, Seven RBIs. I can’t believe I missed this. Also, 28 other MLB GMs were not willing to trade a better player than Shields for him. 8manlineup can post a few stock picks here anytime. Be well.
Sure, because everyone knew how terrific Tatis would be a few years ago.
It’s not like one of the other SS was a flop either. Anderson isn’t a bad conciliation prize. The real problem was acquiring Shields.
The sox knew what they had. If not they would not have paid him a healthy signing bonus. It’s like any high upside raw talent. Majority of the time they don’t amount to much but sometimes you hit on a all star or hall of famer.
I am 1000% convinced that anyone still having this take unironically knows absolutely nothing about this trade, and likely, baseball in general.
Crazy amount of dollar but as an Aussie I’m stoked for him! LFG!!!
He’s going to root a Sheila 2nite.
Hahahahaha! Celebratory shag one might say
Holy crap, dude. I couldn’t stop laughing.
Aussie, Aussie Aussie. From your home country to the Sox, Congratulations
Why didn’t anyone tell the sox owner that owners are losing money? Great price for Hendricks. Though is years past I could have seen same av with another year.
You have THE WORST takes of anyone on these boards. At least you’re consistent.
But his handle isn’t as bad as yours.
Says “gbs42” lol
By July when this looks like the worst contract on the white Sox, you’ll have forget you said something so stupid.
Just my take on it. I am happy most people don’t agree with my post. I think Hendriks did well. Turns out he got the 4th year. Good for him and his agent. Will see if it helps the other relievers any.
He is Jed Hoyer, the new Cubs GM.
Right. This is the guy “in love” with the Cubs’ return for Darvish. Laughable.
whew that’s a hefty guarantee. better hope he’s for real.
There’s the darkside lukewarm take that we all wait for on every article. Every single one. Every single day.
There’s his predictable stalker after each post.
Well, thank god he isn’t a Blue Jay. That is a way overpay for Hendriks. He can fall of the face of the earth next season. Deals like this that makes gm’s lose their job, or limit their ability to add true difference makers. 3yr 54 mill? White Sox seem desperate.
Eighteen mil per year? Crazy!
No, it’s 13/13/13/15. Since the 4th year is a fully guaranteed option, it counts as $18M for 3 years and the 4th year (2024), he’ll count as $0 against the CBT.
The best way to comprehend this is that he got a 4 year, $54M deal, which is less than what the Giants paid for Melacon (4/62).
I must be misinterpreting this then because it sounds like 3/$54 million ($18 million/year) PLUS $15 million for a fourth season that they can pay out as they please. So 18/18/18/15 but they could choose 33/18/18/0 or 23/23/23/0 if they wanted to.
I’m sure you’re correct, but it seems a little confusing (I don’t seem to be alone in being confused).
Wow. Is that the highest AAV ever for a reliever? They overpaid big time.
Not too much for best relief pitcher of all time!!
It’s really 3Y/$39 with a weird option guaranteeing the other $15M, so the AAV is only $13M and that’s less than Chapman and Jansen AAVs of $16M.
Link? CNichols
Thats not at all what its saying here but if thats the case then it totally changes everything
That’s what the contract is for. 4th year option for $15,000,000.
Actually, that really is what it’s saying here.
Jeff Passan’s Twitter “ It is a three-year deal that will pay Hendriks $39M in those first three years. But both the buyout and fourth-year option salary are $15M, so Hendriks will receive $54M regardless of what White Sox do.”
It kind of does say that here because it’s a 3Y deal with a $15M option guaranteeing $54M so you can deduce the math from that.
The initial report on here just said 3 years for $54M. That would be an AAV of $18M. The report has been edited since then.
That’s the CBT hit as the 4th year option is fully guaranteed no matter what. They always include the guaranteed portion of a contract’s option year as part of the deal, it’s just rare to see an option fully guaranteed. They are just playing CBT games. He’ll count $0 against the CBT in year 4 (2024) even though he’ll be paid $15M that year.
That’s your eighteenth post in a row about the “CBT”. No one cares.
Look everybody! It’s @lolzmets 581st straight post criticizing someone else’s post.!
“No one cares.”
Except – ya know – baseball fans.
It means Competitive Balance Tax. It grinds my gears when people use abbreviations and don’t define them, so there you go. You no longer have to be frustrated.
Massive overpay. Good news is that the Astros didn’t get him.
4/54 is not a massive overpay
Lets talk the evening of June 20th. Be well.
Good for Liam and all but boy thats rich – I was thinking more 3/42…thats quite a bit over that
May and Trienan looking great right now on 2/16’s
Good for CWS tho, they filled a hole and kept the yrs down to 3 yrs flat
That is right around the AAV Hendriks will get. It’s 3/$39 with an additional $15 million either in the form of a 4th year or a multi-year deferral “buyout.”
You have to commend the White Sox and there go for it mentality. That being said it’s arguable those resources could have been funneled into a position of more need. 18 million a year feels like it could net you more of an impact player. But if he goes out and pitches like he has the last two years in a closer role it’s a fair deal.
No you don’t. The go for it mentality is usually how teams blow up quicker and don’t have sustainable success. I love how the media loves the they’re going all in! You can tell these idiots don’t actually play poker in any form.
How does spending money hinder sustainable success? There isn’t a salary cap. They can simply spend more in the future to maintain competitiveness. Why does everyone get frustrated when there is an “overpay” but even more upset when owners don’t spend money? Can’t have it both ways.
Yes, when “you guys” sign him it’s an overpay, when “you guys” missed him you are cheap, when “we” get him it is just right !!! Send us Cruz anytime !!!
Y’all r joking that it’s an over pay rt?
Boom.
What is going on with the buyout here?! Passan is reporting it’s a $15M buyout, but the salary would be $15M if they picked it up? That’s gotta be the most bizarre option term I can remember seeing.
Makes the deal seem a little less pricey though since it’s really 4 years for that money.
Didn’t know they were interested in him. Good pickup considering they needed a closer and addressed that need by signing the best on the FA market.
They have been linked to him for months now.
LET’S GO!
Hilarious how quickly the conversation turns from “JeRrY iS tOo ChEaP!” to “OMG. OVERPAY!!!!”
This
Meanwhile guys like Brad Hand got declined his 8-9 mill by the Indians. Desperation leads to incompetence.
8-9 million isn’t enough
White could have picked up hand for that money but they declined it as well. Which lets you know how smart the white are.
Decreased velocity is a turn off unless you are the red Sox.
Really thought this was a Phillies must-have
heck no at that price
Do mine eyes deceive me? An actual free agent signing. I thought those were just rumors…
You have ZERO faith in me?
At this point in the offseason its been easier to get money out of congress than it has out of MLB owners
That Blue Jays offseason right now… youtube.com/watch?v=kzJVwEQyWy4
Seat at the table!
About time but a bit of an overpay though
Bad signing. Team still needs DH, long-term solution at RF. Depth in rotation.Team has multiple potential closing options. Gut tells me they could have had Brantley and a starter or reliever for almost same price. You don’t pay for closers.
@Rangers29 –
You’re prediction arrived a few hours early.
CRAP! My sources told me tomorrow, but they came early. CRAP!
Bro…you have *sources*!?
No, I’m just kidding. Happy coincidence. My only sources are food and water because they’re my source of energy lol. I want to be able to say that someday though… or rather, I’d like to be the *source*.
How did you know though?
I have noticed a pattern. When the rumors of a player signing are swirling all over the place for a couple of days, that’s when you’d think they are about to sign, right? Wrong. I’d say it’s about 1-2 weeks from the last rumor to the actual signing of a player. Hendriks’ last rumor came out about a week ago when he was rumored to L.A. Wait a little bit… let the teams work it out quietly…. then boom, the news will come of it all at once. You don’t sit there and say to the public “Hey, we’ve put in a bid for *x player* worth 200 mil” because then another team will say “Want 201?”. That’s why it goes quiet for a little bit after the last “rumor” because all rumors are, are interest. Then the real fun occurs.
For example: Expect Springer to sign in 1-2 weeks. His rumors have slowed down, and now all the talk stays in the office. Teams will bid, and he will take time to decide. My little system.
See?
These are the insights I need you to continue to provide me with.
😉
There is almost a translation you need in reading rumors:
“Growing interest” – Competition has arrived
Bauer – *unintelligible*
(Superstars) “Backing off” – The team has found a price they didn’t like
(Non-superstars) “Backing off” – The team knows something we don’t: (injury or risk thereof, for example)
The list goes on, but I hope that me noticing these little idiosyncrasies will help me whenever I want to get into FO work.
As a single parent, this is not the first time I’ve been schooled by a teenager.
This is totally unrelated to the discussion at hand, but seeing the score of the Bama – Ohio game makes me happy to be a UT fan. Bama has 52 points up, and their OC is who is coming over to be out next HC here at Texas. Just warms my heart even though I don’t care for football much.
BTW, I’m going to get enough time this week to work on my write ups that I’ve been wanting to do. My semester is wrapping down, and I’ve finally got some free time.
Nice. Good to see one side of Chicago spending money.
He’s gonna regret not going to a real contending team. Surprised the Padres and Mets weren’t in on him.
Padres know better than to spend that much money on a closer.
Yeah, they’d rather spend it on a first baseman that can’t hit half the time.
He can’t ./don’t catch very well either. Hosner cost fairs 2 games in the playoffs
Doesn’t have to be the same deal but they’re closer to winning than the white sox.
Padres may be better, but the Sox are closer to being in the 2021 playoffs if we’re back to 5 teams. Padres have to beat Dodgers or look for wildcard. While Sox now favored to win a much weaker division where they can rack up wins vs. 3 weak teams.
Debatable. The Padres have to get through the Dodgers to even have a chance at playing for a World Series.
Might want to rethink that one. The Sox are loaded with talent and they don’t have to contend with the Dodgers every years
Ahh, but you need to have thought in the first place, in order to rethink something.
padres will be worse in 2021 several plays had career years and they won’t repeat that.
White Sox can win the weak central. I’d argue they have a better shot than Pads and Mets. I’m not saying they’re better than those teams, but they’re in an easier division.
Yeah this is true. Easier division. But the Mets really only have to be better that the Braves.
@MetsFan22 Right and they can be in all honesty. But I’ll also say the Nats, Marlins and Phillies will all be tough even if the Mets are better.
That is true
The Mutts should be happy anywhere other than last place. That’s a garbage roster.
whitesoxs and padres are the same to me.
That is so much money for a reliever. Absolute waste! Terrible idea. What’s crazy is they already have a closer they could use at league minimum salary. Garrett Crochet.
Crochet is going to be a starter at some point.
Crochet has pitched a grand total of 6.2 innings of professional baseball (including 0 in the minors), and not even very many innings in college. And you’re ready to annoint him the closer for a team that’s planning to content this year?
I’ve never seen a $15 mil buyout for a reliever. That’s nuts
“It’s a three-year, $54MM guarantee with a club option for a fourth season. Both the option and buyout are worth $15MM”
So it’s 4yr/$54M… It appears that the only reason it’s structured this way is in case the Sox want to get out after 3 years. If so, they can spread that extra $15M out over multiple years instead of just paying him upfront.
I don’t think it is a 4/54 I think its 3/54 with an option of 15 mil making it 4/69. Am I wrong?
You’re incorrect.
I’m 99% sure you are wrong. Since the $15M is guaranteed, they are lumping it in with the 3yr total. I’m not 100% though. I would love some clarification.
Technically it’s 4/54
I have a headache – never saw a baseball blog turned reading comprehension / math course so quickly. Go Sox You have several great posts. See you at The Ballpark !!!
Yeah, he’s getting $13 the first three years and $15 the option year either way (both the year and buyout and both worth $15 million).
Yes
Wrong, baller!!
AGH, makes more sense that way- Keeps AAv at 13.5 –
Odd new modern structure , I never liked deferments for the game since there is no strict cap neways, they feel shady towards the cap
The article says 18 million aav but also mentions the weird option. Something isn’t adding up
At least it’s only three years. I think the $15 million buyout can’t be true.
Well that’s probably why he signed. It was essentially a 4 year contract.
It’s a structured buyout over time. It’s another way the Sox try to get fancy with their contracts. Those type of deals work on young players (Anderson, Quintana, Eaton, Montana, Eloy, Robert etc). When they get cute in FA it usually bites them, like Machado a few years back.
I’m very happy to have Lance Lynn and Liam Hendriks aboard. Cost for both was high- alarmingly high in this case- but I feel like they had to get Hendriks, Hand, or trade for someone better in order to roll out that bullpen with a straight face.
So this is what I said a few hours ago: “Liam Hendriks will sign tomorrow. I see the future.”. There has to be a subreddit for this kind of stuff. I missed it by two hours…
Now I know why the Dodgers backed out. Yikes! Good luck
I’m pretty sure the $54M includes the option/buyout for the 4th year, so it’s really a 4/$54 deal for an AAV of $13.5M. Still a hefty price, but not as much of an overpay as an $18M AAV.
Since the buyout is the same as the option salary, they only way it gets declined is if Hendriks is out for the season that year or if he completely and grotesquely craps the bed in the first 3 years and is somehow unplayable in 2024, in which case the Sox can get some cash flow benefit by declining the option.
I think you are wrong. It’s 3/54 with an option on a 4th year – 4/69
It’s $54 guaranteed. Strange deal. It’s up to the sox if they play him 3 or 4 years same amount of money. If he plays 3 years then it averages $18 per yr. If it’s 4 years, then average $13..5 per year which makes sense,
But for this year it *should only count as 13.5 I think??
Since the Sox aren’t coming close to the luxury tax threshold, it doesn’t really matter how much “counts” this year.
Indeed Oddvark, but upon initial read I think most people (as I) thought Liam got 18 AAV which seemed cray-
13.5 seems a lot more appropriate
Nope, he gets $13 per year for the three years and then $15 the option year (both the buyout and option are worth $15 million.)
No you just can’t read
@ moneyball 3/54 means 3 guaranteed years at $13m per plus a 4th year at either $15m salary or $15 buy out; essentially its 3/54 and 4/54 in the same contract
Keep repeating your incorrect take, maybe eventually you can change reality
So it’s basically a four year contract which the white Sox pay 13mil each of the first three seasons and 15mil in the fourth and final year. So an aav of 13.5mil
Thats what Im getting but a little conflicting between the article and other reports from the posters – 4/54 makes a lot more sense than 3 to me which is what I first thought upon reading the article
Wow good for him!
This gets 3 out of 5 dunks!
Wow good for Hendricks, he got PAID!!
Wow. Huge pickup. Three years is a bit much, but whatever it takes. All in I guess. Twins better step up. Cleveland is out, Tigers are out, Royals are a couple years away…sign Cruz, snag more pitching, be active!
Would have liked Mets to take a shot at Hendricks but not for 54m. Brad Hand and DJL not in that order for them
per Jeff Passan on twitter
It is a three-year deal that will pay Hendriks $39M in those first three years. But both the buyout and fourth-year option salary are $15M, so Hendriks will receive $54M regardless of what White Sox do.
If the White Sox decline the option, they will be able to pay the $15 million buyout over the course of multiple years. But the incentive certainly is there for the team to pick it up. And by going that big, the White Sox get the best closer in baseball the last two seasons.
Dude , you should have written the original article, thanks !
– Upon re-reading the 3rd time I almost thought this was a 4/69 lol – Your version makes a lot more sense and much more digestible
Might be the dumbest option/buyout I’ve ever seen and for that I will thumb down the deal. 3/39 with an option for the 4th year would be fine with idk maybe a 2 mill buyout. Liam is about to get the Bonilla special until 2039.
But they would have to only spread $15mm over several years. Not a lifelong big buck Bonilla.
It’s unusual, but that weird buy-out is kind of genius. The Sox currently have a ton of space when calculating the luxury tax. However, a few years down the road, if the Sox pick up that 4th year option, it will not count against the luxury tax that year. So, a pitcher making $15 million will impact their luxury tax threshold by $0. Hahn (Sox GM) found a crazy loophole. Pretty savvy.
Wow!!! That’s a ton of $ — I definitely didn’t see that coming. Sure I thought he’d get paid but not anywhere near that much. Plus with the opt out and 4th year option both being $15M it’s really a 4/$69M deal which is really quite shocking. Especially considering Hand went unclaimed for 1/$10M — Hendricks is probably far better than Hand but still… that’s a HUGE amount of $ for a RP who’s really only had 2 good (albeit fantastic) seasons. I think it will probably work out as well as the White Sox hope it will as I see no reason Hendricks won’t continue to dominate as a CL… its just a lot more $ than I expected. Hopefully this deal getting done and for big $ also kind of starts a domino effect of more action and signings to come (sooner rather than later) as thus far the off-season has been painfully slow!!
It is 4yr for $54mm OR 3years at $13mm followed by a spread out over several years on the last $15mm
yeah I was confused at first and after talking to a friend who was reading a tweet from Rosenthal I believe it’s basically 3/$39M with the option and opt out being an additional 1 year and $15M. So while the article above says he’s AAV is $18M I believe because the last $15M is technically an option year that the AAV will be $13M not 18. I could be wrong again though… its a bit confusing. At least I think it is the way it’s worded at present.
You are wrong… AAV is calculated based on guaranteed money and guaranteed years.
Hendriks AAV is 18 million over 3 years. 0 million in his fourth year.
Well for starters I flat out said “I could still be wrong” so there’s really no need to be an a-hole about it. But also sobira because the buyout is the same amount as the option that it just gets lumped in for AAV. That doesn’t really make sense. Then what would his AAV be in the 4th year of the contract if the option is exercised? $0? It can’t be $18M again because that would imply his contract was 4/$72M which it isn’t. For example if a guy signs a 2 year contract for $20M with an option for a 3rd year at $10M the AAV isn’t $15M it’s $10. I think the AAV of this deal will depend on how the option year and buyout are worded and I don’t think there’s the full info out yet to determine that. The article has also since been updated and no longer says his AAV is $18M so I feel like it’s not certain yet… or at least the writer of the article didn’t feel it was seeing as they removed the part about his AAV being higher than Wade’s. You definitely still could be right. as I said in my last comment. I didn’t know and said it could be either way. But as a general rule when there is an option year… you don’t just add the salary without taking into account the extra season to calculate AAV. if you did that guys with several option years on their contracts would wind up with AAV’s of double their actual salary. It will all depend on whether it’s purely a team option, if it’s mutual or if it has clauses to become guaranteed with incentive clauses. For now I guess I just don’t know. and from the changes to the article it seems like I’m not the only one who’s unsure.
The one thing I’m sure of is there is NO chance that the AAV in year 4 would be $0. Thats absolutely NOT how it works/is calculated. There’s no such thing EVER as a player counting $0 toward the luxury tax for a season. So no matter what that is absolutely NOT the case.
Jeff – double check the deal. I believe it’s $54 for 4 years but the AAV is distorted the way they configured the last year. The AAV hitting the Sox is $18M in 2021,2022 and 2023. Then, if they exercise year 4 there is no AAV for year 4. The cashflow to the Sox ends up being 13,13,13 and 15 for 54. That means in 2024 the Sox free up $18M of luxury tax money and still keep Hendriks.
Think about that extra $18M in 2024 and what it might mean to tweaking the roster that year without adding to the total AAV.
This is a good deal for both sides.
Hmm I guess you might be right. But to my knowledge has there ever been a player who actually had a $0 AAV against the luxury tax for a season? I guess the issue is no one has ever really signed a contract where they buyout and option were for the same amount of $. I realize the buyout is deferred which is the difference for the club $ wise and I get how that helps the Sox cash flow wise a great deal. Allowing them to give him $18M a year but only have to pay out $13 a year and then subsequently less if they decline the option. But to my knowledge has there ever been a player who actually counted $0 against the luxury tax for a season? (in this case the idea is if the option is exercised… that’s what would happen) Just curious more than anything as I can’t can’t re call a player actually having a $0 aav hit against the luxury tax for a season. I’d that is the case… and he continues to pitch like he has the past 2 years… if they exercise his 4th year option he would be a big time trade target for a team trying to stay below the luxieyvrax line but still add a star caliber player. For example say 3 years from now the red Sox are right at the luxury tax penalty line but need a closer. They could hypothetically trade for Hendricks and still have to pay him $15M but would get him absolutely free for luxury tax purposes. This seems like something that could really be manipulated but if that’s how it works then I guess that’s how it works.
BTW – does anyone know what deal is? Is it 3/54 with $15 million option?
It’s 3/39 with a 15 million option for a 4th year.
Something doesn’t seem right the way it is reported. It seems like a 3/39 with a multi year $15 mil buyout or 4/54.
Welp its either a
3/39
4/54
4/69
I think we need a poll!
None of the above. He gets $13 per year for 3 years. In year 4, the sox can have him play for $15mm OR not have him play and owe him the remaining $15mm spread over a number of years.
I will drink a Hendricks and tonic after each save this season…………..
I will drink a Hendricks and tonic after each blown save this season…………..
I will learn to spell his name properly…..
This reminds me so much of the Rockies signing Wade Davis for $15m a year or whatever it was. Except the Rockies can be excused because they always have to overpay to sign pitchers, because of where they play.
What a panic move. It won’t cost them this year because they have more money to spend, but they will sorely regret it next year.
A lot of their core is in pre-arb and some of those pieces (Robert, Eloy, Anderson, and Bummer) are already signed to team-friendly extensions. Before this, they only added Lynn and Eaton, who will both be off the books after next year. How will they not have money then?
A lot of dough, for a guy who may end up being the 3rd best closer on the team.
As a White Sox fan I have to like that the team is going for it and Hahn is confident. In terms of cost the deal it doesn’t make any sense what was paid out. The White Sox don’t have the margin of error to eat an awful contract at this time. He’s earned my benefit of the doubt with how he rebuilt the team.. I’m going to trust him even if I’m not confident on the terms.
In terms of the Chicago Sports picture they will get the casual fans looking their way.. The White Sox are very desperate to get a bigger following in the city. They in fact might be the only good team in all of Chicago major sports teams as the other four Chicago sports teams will be mediocre, rebuilding or aging.
Hey, the Bears just made the playoffs!
Bears fell into the playoffs, and got beaten down like the undeserving team they are.
@donopolis, even as a Bears fan, I have to agree with this. Trubisky is not, was never, and will never be the QB they need. I was absolutely stunned they thought they had to trade up to get him, and especially shocked that they overpaid so much to do so. It’s been a debacle from the start. Why is it so hard for them to land a good QB?
stop sleeping, angels! it may be a slow offseason but good pitchers are starting to be harvested.
This effective 4-year signing also seems like a sign of confidence in Kopech as a starter. Kopech has closer stuff, and if the Sox thought there was a reasonable possibility that they might move him to the bullpen in a year or two, they would presumably be less willing to sign a 4-year deal for Hendriks.
The same might be said about Crochet, but Crochet is 3 years younger than Kopech with almost no professional experience, so I don’t expect the team to have any level of confidence as to where Crochet will end up.
Kopech and Crochet may have closer stuff, but if they’re the real deal, they’re much more valuable in the rotation- similar to the value of Sale as a top of the rotation arm—why he never went back to closing after initially proving he was more than capable in either role.
Now just need to extend Giolito. That will most probably will be the end of pre-season signings. They can always get more DH help if needed at trading deadline./
Yeah, I am now expecting them to start the season with Mercedes (and sometimes Collins) at DH, then bring up Vaughn in May, and if none of them are producing, pick up another bat at or before the trade deadline.
I still think they will try to sign a back-end starter for depth — probably one of the 3rd-tier reliable innings eaters like Quintana, Porcello, Happ, or Wainwright.
Good signing by the White Sox.
$1 million signing bonus
2021: $11 million
2022: $13 million
2023: $14 million
2024: $15 club option or $15 million buyout.
So he is guaranteed $54 million over 3 or 4 years.
Per nightengale
If that’s true the 18/yr is a pipe dream. They should correct that in the write-up!
AAV is 18M for Luxury tax purposes but the cash flow is 13, 13, 13 and 15. That means 2024 the 18M AAV is $0M freeing up money for others if there are cap concerns. AAV, by year is 18,18,18 and 0. Cashflow 13,13,13 and 15.
The structure of the contract suggests ownership believes this is their chance to take a run at a ring and spending near the cap is likely. Otherwise, there is no reason to structure the deal as they did.
bullpen looks formidable on paper this year, but if they use this as an excuse to not pay giolito……
Lynn comes off the books after this year, along with Eaton. Have DH options very close and some decent arms vying for rotation. Should be able to afford Giolito extension.
Not a Sox fan. Quick question, what was wrong with Colome, he was very good for the Sox, why not sign him for 3 years for around 12 million. Instead of Hendricks. No I’m not an A’s fan either.
If Colome costs 3 years x12, this is basically 4 x 13.5. They like Hendricks more. $1.5 mil per and 1 year more.
Watching Colome pitch, it was hard to understand the results. Every inning seemed to be dangerous; It seemed like he loved putting the first man on base.
Sox pen is going to be filthy.
As long as I can nail the open tryout!
Despite his consistent ability to convert saves, and solid traditional stats like ERA, a lot of people weren’t very keen on his “peripherals” and the “analytics” weren’t big on him — so maybe the Sox weren’t confident that Colome would be able to maintain his results moving forward.
This is the main reason MLBTR predicted Hendriks would sign for 3/$30 and Colome would only sign for 1/$6M.
Colomé was really great in his Sox tenure, but deeper stats show he may have been very lucky. Still, stats can’t predict everything! I can understand ownership not wanting to pay big money to a guy everyone is expecting will have some (maybe a lot of) decline. I think Colomé was viewed as a backup option. I’m sure he’ll still end up being an above average closer for someone.
Now we know why the Dodgers backed out. Yikes!
LET’S GO!
I guess the Yankees are sleeping this offseason.
They have been sleeping the past two trade deadlines as well.
They are at the 50% luxury tax rate and sitting at the first threshold now that many of their contracts are up. Every penny they spend is really 1 1/2 pennies!!
I’m surprised they haven’t tried to dump Stanton, Chapman and others that are expensive to reset the counter in 2021 like the Red Sox did in 2020.
You cannot compare the Red Sox dumping salary in 2020 to the Yankees situation right now. The Red Sox traded the second best player in the game in Mookie Betts and a good but overpaid starting pitcher in David Price. Every team could have used those guys. The Yankees bad contracts are so bad that absolutely nobody will trade for them. Furthermore, the current financial situation in baseball has led to more teams being unwilling to take on extra salary. In my opinion, the three expensive contracts on the Yankees that have positive trade value are Judge, Cole, and Britton, and there is no way the Yankees would trade any of those guys.
I heard Hendricks backed out because the Sox wouldn’t allow his son to hang out in the clubhouse
Different regime, different team. Get over the dark past kid. The future is bright
Dumb to spend that kind of money on a reliever.
This contract is absurd. Good for the Sox for going for it, but holy crap, this money is ridiculous.
How is 4/54 ridiculous?
$13.5M a year for a quality closer is not expensive.
Reinsdorf is going to be 85. If you feel you’re close, why not spend a few extra bucks on what you hope is a final piece.
After hearing the amount of money being discussed for Tatis Jr. at this point of his career, nothing sounds ridiculous.
Apparently very few people on this board can read and/or understand how AAV works.
Hendriks has an AAV of 18 million per season for the first three years of his deal. If his option is picked up in year 4 he would carry an AAV of 0. AAV’s are factored based on guaranteed money and guaranteed years. He is guaranteed 3 years and 54 million dollars.
IF the fourth year option was a player and player only option, the 54 million would be spread across all four years. The only time an option counts for (or against) the luxury tax in terms of AAV is if it is a player option.
That’s why I have this user name. Not only can people call me stupid dumb moron etc. But also witty names like nightmare gm. When people on here start liking my viewpoints, that’s when I stop driving and head to the nursing home.
You do realize most people are talking about AAV with respect to how much the player will actually get paid on average over the number of years that he plays under the contract. It’s good to know how the AAV will be calculated for luxury tax purposes, but that’s not mainly what people care about.
Then most people need to learn what AAV means and not use it incorrectly.
People are confused because it was reported as 3 for 54 with a 4 year option. Then 20 minutes later they reported the weird 4 year option that was completely guaranteed.
What an oddly structured deal. Not sure I’ve seen this before. The way it is structured they are incented to pick up the fourth year, but they are also guaranteeing a higher AAV and potential luxury tax hit. Not sure anyone has offered a deal like this before.
The point is that there is $0 AAV in the 4th year.. Right now they have plenty of room to absorb the $18mm.
Can’t believe the A’s weren’t in at this AAV. Jk. Glad Liam got paid. A’s fans will miss you!
Woo hoo great pick up. Best closer in baseball the last two years. Sox bullpen is loaded.
What a TERRIBLE signing. Everyone keeps talking about this guy calling him the best reliever in baseball after ONE good season. Yeah? What about the ten seasons before that where he was average at best? In an off-season where the market is saturated with quality arms and they could have had Brad Hand for significantly less money they give this guy stupid money. Worst signing of this free agent year. I’m calling it now. Idiots.
Yes you are chemo I D I O T
Your parents must be real proud. Go away kid.
Chemo – Normally I’d be on the same page with you but the MLB channel just discussed what changed in Hendricks delivery to allow for the success of the last two years. They talked about how he reworked the way he approached hitters and they believe his new approach is sustainable. If it is, then $13.5M isn’t expensive for a quality closer. If they are wrong and he reverts back, then you are right and it’s a bad deal.
Considering his current status, Hendriks got $5M to $7.5M less than top flight closers were getting just a few years ago. In fact, Spotrac which estimates arbitration numbers and free agent numbers had Hendriks at $15.5M a year. The Sox got a $2M a year discount for arguably the best available closer. Hand, for me is the other reliable quality closer and I do believe he will be cheaper but if you are going for a ring grabbing the top rated closer for $2M less per year than predicted isn’t a bad deal if he truly is the best available closer.
Time will tell. I think the Sox need a proven closer to stop teams like TB and the Yankees during the playoffs. Did they over pay? Maybe, if owners continue to suppress contracts but it just shows the White Sox are taking an LAD approach by spending a bit more to get what they want. Lets hope they are right.
@ KD17
MLBTR predicted 3 years $30, so this is no bargain under any circumstances. More years, more money for the most volatile component on a team; for a role the White Sox have plenty of options. The concept of a “proven closer” is a myth, an artificial construct. Leads in the 9th have been protected at roughly the same rate as they have for over 120 years, well before there existed a so-called “proven closer.” It’s actually much harder to HIT in the 9th down by a run and no one on than it is to pitch in that situation, but for some reason we elevate the pitcher to some mythological level. It’s nuts. Agents and players love it, and fans are duped by it. But go ahead, risk that this guy is going to have his arm fall off and be on the hook for the rest of his contract, or that his ability evaporates into thin air. There would have been much better ways to spend that money, but hey, we’ll see how it goes.
mrsox55 Rough day for a 12 year old huh? I’m guessing you didn’t get to colour in your colouring book today..
Chemo no she didn’t. But your sister let me color n tap that beautiful arse. Thank you
Don’t mistake my sister that I don’t have with your mother… Don’t colour too hard, there, pal. Lol
My bad must of been your fat mother she looks young That’s how I look them fat n toothless
Chemo850… agree wholeheartedly. It’s a ridiculous signing.
Aussie Aussie Aussie nice pay day liam!!!
In the Free Agent Contest, 152 entries (out of 4,268) predicted Hendriks to the White Sox. That’s only 3.56% that got it right.
The Phillies (972) were the most guessed team, matching the MLBTR staff prediction, with the Dodgers (634) the second most. The A’s, Mets, Angels, Nationals, Blue Jays, Padres, and Cubs were all predicted more often than the White Sox.
put that one on the board!
Assuming they pick up the 4th year, is 4x$13.5 really that bad? If you compare to the MLBTR prediction, then maybe a little high, but they were predicting much lower arb numbers for Schwarber, too. Not to mention a low prediction for McCann as well.
Yes, it is. Anyone looking at this his career numbers who actually understands data analytics would look at his one year of success and call it an obvious outlier with extreme deviation. It is almost mathematically impossible for there not to be enormous regression here.
A lot of people talking about things being “mathematically impossible” lately. I don’t think it means what they think it means.
Blah, blah, blah overpaid. Blah, blah, nlah, right fielder. Nlah, blah, blah, horrible franchise. Blah, blah, blah they did this and that in the past.
Fact is, they got the best closer available.
Fact is, pre season isn’t over.
Fact is, Springer doesn’t want to play the corners.
Fact is, they can still pick up Brantley.
Fact is, they have good odds to win the World Series in every casino in the world because of this move.
Fact is, you are some trolling haters that know nothing and say something because you need to feel relevant.
Fact is, North Side fools should stay out of White Sox business!
“Blah blah blah Reinsdorf took my binky”
Dumpster diving Liam .
This is an outrageous and fiscally idiotic signing by Reinsdorf Etal! It turns the market on its ear and rubs so much salt in the wounds of the oppressed Americans in our tumultuously conflicted and paralyzed country. This is a horrible joke! Everything is wrong about this!
Greed lives forever!
Post of the millennium!
@davpass19
So when a baseball contract is up for negotiation, baseball owners should consider what’s happening outside of baseball, and should consider Fred Bloggs whose business was attacked and burned down by peaceful protesters and all his employees lost their jobs as a consequence of the actions of those peaceful protesters who ‘din’t do nuffin’, media said so.
Your comment is nearly the most imbecilic comment I have ever seen on this site, but then again there are plenty of them every day.
4 years for $54M is idiotic? It’s perhaps a slight overpay in this economy, but consider what the Dodgers gave Jansen. When I first read it at 3/$54, I thought it was a huge overpay, but reading that the 4th year and buyout are the same amount, making the latter included in the $54 and the deal essentially 4/$54, I thought it sounded about right.
As for these oppressed Americans, a lot of that oppression comes from other Americans in the form of riots and looting. Some is coming from social media sites targeting political parties as though the actions of a few speak for all of them (and ignoring their own side’s “mostly peaceful” protests). Also, as someone living in Houston, sports can galvanize people. I know the cheating scandal (rightfully) makes the championship the Astros won in 2017 questionable, at best, but at the time, before that story broke, we Houstonians were recovering from Harvey and the Astros were giving people hope and bringing the city together. It’s a shame that has since been tarnished, but it happened at the right time nevertheless.
oppressed Americans in our tumultuously conflicted and paralyzed country.
————————————————————————-
Not for nothing, but most of America are the world’s 1%. If we had enough visas, I could line up about a billion people from Africa, S. America, India and the ME, that would move to Detroit, Baltimore, StL, by tomorrow morning. And probably make those places a heck of a lot nicer.
Stick to baseball Thanks!
Wow the White Sox have quite a few “unknown relievers” who put up some really solid numbers under the radar last year. I guess Bummer is becoming more or a known commodity over the past couple years but Heuer and Foster were/are pretty much unknowns who posted really solid numbers in 2020. If they can continue to pitch like they did last season and Hendricks is the guy he’s been in Oakland… they’ve got the makings of a VERY solid bullpen. They’re going to be a really interesting team to watch next year. With all the young talent they have in their lineup and a couple of young starters to keep an eye on… especially if Kopech returns healthy. They could certainly be a legitimate contender in the AL next year. especially if they aren’t done adding pieces yet!
Been reading that the 4th year $15 mil does not count against the Sox for luxury tax purposes. I doubt the luxury tax will ever be an issue for the Sox, but if they trade him during or before the 4th season, after exercising the option, does the $15 mil count against the new team’s luxury tax?
Only if the 4th year is exercised by both parties and then the trade occurs. Otherwise, it’s nothing more than a 3 year contract at $18M a year.
So sign him for the fourth year then trade him and the benefits pass to the next team increasing his value to another team.
I like your thinking. By then, others in the bullpen will be cheaper and possibly better but his value would be greater in a trade than it would otherwise be.
This deal has a Tony LaRussa smell on it.
You just threw a softball for somebody to coming along and hit.
Hendricks can only get better from here on out like Scherzer did with the Nationals.
Yeah, we all know that 32 year old relievers only get better with age.
Mr Slydah is gonna shine in the Windy City. Sox have been building a solid team for a couple years now on the field. Final piece to the puzzle for them to put them in line for the top bullpen/pitching staff in the AL Central. Good signing for that pen! Can’t wait to see em at Camelback Ranch soon!
I hope we can go to Camelback Ranch this year!
Man am I ever glad the Jays didn’t pay that for a reliever, thats crazy money for an older guy
Good for Hendriks. Good to see a competitive team really wanted him. Meanwhile the other alleged AL Central contenders continue to trend in the wrong direction.
Wow, what a terrible deal for the White Sox, lol. Not even funny.
Remember the Sox signed Cespedes’ half brother, that kid will be ready in a year so Eaton is a cheap stop gap to him.
Yes!
This contract is insane.
I was disappointed the Jays didn’t get him when I saw he signed. But 54M? There’s more that can be done with that kind of money.
$54M for 4 years, though. That sounds about fair for one of the best closers in the game the last couple years. I’m just happy the White Sox finally did something significant that will help the team beyond next year.
White Sox are going to be fun to watch for sure.
So will the Jays, but I still think they’re a year away if they don’t sign one or two of their top targets. They could legitimately compete for a WC this year, but I don’t currently see them as being better than the Rays or Yankees.
Still, there’s a lot of young talent on that team. Some, like Vlad, just need another step to really catapult the team.
Let DJ walk….yesssss I know blasphemy!!! Sign Didi for maybe $10m?, move Gleyber to 2b….and sign Bauer !!…
Even though the diff. between DJ and Bauer salary might not be that small..it aint that big….maybe $22M vs. $28-ishM ??? Why doesnt anyone see that we (Yankees) need SP MORE than anything…. RE-signing DJ does not come close to making them a World Series team…SIGNING Bauer makes them instant Big show team!!!! So if they go over their cap with those salaries…are TWO world series worth it over the course of 4 years?
@yankee766766 not one relevant sentence fragment in regards to this article.
Bauer isn’t signing for $28M. I’d doubt he signs for less than $32M, especially if he’s seeking a shorter deal. There are articles, both here and on MLB.com, trying to see if he’s worth Cole’s AAV, and I don’t believe he is, but part of Cole’s AAV is the length of the contract and expected decline. If you cut that decline out of it, he could still match or exceed the AAV that Cole got over, say, a 4-yr deal. They’d have to make a salary dump trade to make it realistic. George has been dead for a while now, as have been his free-spending ways.
It isn’t YOUR money so don’t worry about it.
gee do I really sound worry about it? I’m just being an arm chair owner like all the other guys in this room bud
Yo, Yankee! My post was a post, dearie, not a reply to you. If it had been, I would have singled you out by name and it would have been indented.
He deserves that cash and the Sox are happy to give it to him for his services in the ninth. Well spent to gain an edge over the competition in close games during the playoffs
Alex Colome was spectacular, but the Sox need more in the 9th. Good job Mgmt., identifying their target, and acquiring arguably the best closer in MLB. A scary bullpen just became terrifying to the rest of the AL.
Colome was effective, but not spectacular. It seemed like every outing was an adventure. His advanced metrics made it seem like he was getting by on luck sometimes. Yes, he got the job done, but I think “spectacular” is a reach.
25 lighters on his dressa
Reinsdorf this blah blah blah
La Russa that blah blah blah
“La Russa is too old’, (ageist bigotry) from the tolerant blah blah blah
Hendriks this blah blah blah
Good on Liam for getting a good contract, the level of jealousy here is something to behold. Maybe it is an over pay, maybe it is not. However, if any of you can predict the future, can I have the Lotto numbers for the 6 months from April to October, as you ‘seem to know’ how Hendriks is going to perform for the MLB season in 2021..
I hope he succeeds and does well because the guy is ALL heart and he gives 110%.
he gives 110%.
———————
For all your concern about commentators predicting the future, how do you know that he gives 110%? Aren’t you doing kind of the same thing as everyone else is, only in the opposite direction?
It’s an illiterate statement by the mathematically challenged. There’s no 110%. If you go there, you’re injured, because the body breaks past 100%.
@whyhayzee
And you’ve never played any competitive sport in your lifetime, although you’ve commented from your armchair.
@Whyhayzee
You also have no clue about baseball or any other sport for that matter, but keep on with your condescension.
Such a shame for you.
What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle, and giving 110 percent all the time. ~ Don Zimmer (Baseball)
As I said, you have no clue and you’re a ‘baseball illiterate’.
@JoeBrady
You have obviously no clue about Hendriks, and it is patently clear that you have never watched him play or pitch.
So you’re saying that he gives 110%, and no one else does? Most players try their hardest. That’s why they are there.
Always one of my favorite players, ever since Bobby Valentine confused him with Mark Hendrickson, and filled out the entire initial lineup with righties. By the time the game came around, he corrected the card and filled in the usual lefty hitters. I’ve been watching baseball for 50 years, and only saw that one other time.
Good for Liam because as a Jays fan, I’ve seen him struggle but I’m glad that the Jays didn’t sign him. He has a very short track record of success and I’m sure it won’t be long until the league figures him out. 3yrs/$54M reminds me of that awful contract that the Jays gave B.J. Ryan. If anything, they need to sign Alex Colome because he will be way cheaper and he has a longer track record of success. Get Colome and Anthony Bass and possibly a few others.
Agreed. Was hoping the Jays would grab him but this contract seems like alot for him. Good for him though, wish him success.
4/69 is a lot of money and years for a reliever?
Why can’t people properly understand this contract? It is 3/$39M with a fully guaranteed option year of $15M. So it’s a total of 4/$54M which is less than SF paid for Melacon. Due to CBT rules, the guaranteed portion of an option has to be pulled forward into the term of the contract, so the league accounts for this as a 3/$54 against the CBT while the actual payout is 13/13/13 (or some variation of that) + $15M for year 4, where if they don’t exercise that option it is paid out at $1.5M per year for 10 years.
Example: If a player signs a 3/$30M contract with a 4th year option of $12M with a $6M buyout on that option, the league considers this a 3/$36M deal from a CBT perspective. He’ll count $12M per year for 3 years against the CBT. If the team exercises the year 4 option, it only counts for $6M against the CBT because they pulled forward the guaranteed buyout portion already, even though they are paying him $12M in salary for the 4th year.. Since Hendriks’ 4th year option is fully guaranteed, they pull forward the full $15M into the 3 year deal and count it as a 3/$54M deal. If Chicago exercises the 4th year option, they will pay Hendriks $15M, but his contract will count as $0 against the CBT in year 4.
In all fairness, the article is not exactly clear on how this works, and the top part of the article is a recent addition. To me, it certainly looked like $54M/3 when it came out.
Now it looks like a $39M/3, a $15M option, with a $12M buyout.
And not that it matters, since no one goes to WS games, but for CBT purposes, the league has the option of interpreting the contract options. For example, if Hendriks were to have signed for $24M/3, with a player option for $20M in year 4, the league will consider that a $54M/4 deal.
I don’t think that’s right, Dorothy. In your example, if the option is picked up the CBT salary is $12M for the 4th year. The CBT salaries would be retroactively changed for the first three years from $12M to $10M.
Nevermind, Dorothy, I checked and you’re correct.
As mentioned, the original post was not clear on the breakdown. It’s less bad at 3(or4)/54
I’ll explain it simpler.
The $15 M for the option year is included in the $54 M guaranteed total. So it’s basically a 3 year/$39 M deal with a $15 M option with a $15 M buyout.
The $15 million piece could get interesting if interest rates go up over the next three years.
Right, PDX, with the buyout being paid out over ten years.
As for the CBT, I think there is some misinformation in the comments above. If the option is picked up, the CBT for the guaranteed years is credited retroactively by spreading evenly the amount of the option.
So, right now, CBT hit is $18 million per year for 2021-23. If the option is picked up, it will be $13 million retro for 2021-3 and $15 million (not zero) for 2024.
Of course, the world will stop spinning on its axis if Reinsdorf spends past the CBT threshold and the Sox are taxed.
Of course, by then, as old as Reinsdorf is, his successor may be in place. Certainly not hoping he dies, but when it does happen, I hope that successor is a little more liberal with the cash.
I am wrong here concerning a retroactive credit. Dorothy Mantooth is correct about Hendricks having a zero CBT hit for 2024.
They don’t go back and retroactively spread/change CBT costs. It would complexity screw up the excess penalties teams have to pay and could even result in a situation where a team was docked a draft pick but then after pushing back the option and lowering the AAV, they wouldn’t have been. He counts as $0 against the cap in year 4, unless the league decides to count this as a 4/$54 deal since the option is 100% guaranteed but the buyout does not need to be paid out in full at the end of year 3.
Funny how its always a terrible signing when your team loses out on it.
If he doesn’t get the 4th year option is there going to be a July 1st Liam Hendricks day for 10 years?
I get that this is a joke, but nah, this deal doesn’t have the 8% interest rate that Bonilla’s deal did, neither will it have 10 years to build up before they start paying it down. Because of time value of money, that $15M will actually be less than if they picked up his option, though I’d have to imagine unless he’s injured badly or completely falls of the table, that they pick it up.
$1.5mm per year hardly worth mentioning in the deferred scheme of things.
May not be my resource allocation wish, but Hendriks was their guy. TLR can be trusted to not burn him out during the regular season if he can get a guy like Heuer/Bummer some closing shots here and there. Mercedes can save them a lot of $$ when he is tearing it up as the DH if they admit to poor self-scouting (he can currently outperform Vaughn for those wanting him promoted too early). Next up the big Giolito extension!
The Moncada extension could be used as a guide for guessing what a Giolito extension would look like.
I’m assuming there’s a bunch of teams kicking themselves for not getting Brad Hand at 1/10 after seeing this deal. Hand might be the biggest winner of the offseason.
I got flak in a recent post for saying Hand could get 2/$18 with a 3rd year option at $8-9M. That might turn out to be a hair low now. Not suggesting, of course, that Hand should get as much as Hendriks, but he ought to do better than just 2/3 as much on an AAV basis.
Ya I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually gets more than he was supposed to get had somebody just picked up his option. He’s the clear number one relief arm on the market now and this Hendriks deal would’ve only drove up his price.
It’s not necessarily the teams who didn’t pick up Hand’s option who should kick themselves. They at least can explore other options to address their needs. It’s Cleveland, who simply should have held Hand and traded him at some point in the coming months.
It’s less Cleveland, and more the other teams. Cleveland has probably already decided on Marinchak as the closer, and since no one claimed him, there was no current trade value. IMO, it was teams like the RS, with a clear need for a closer, that made the mistake, assuming that they don’t think he is injured.
This contract is not insane. This supposedly depressed market makes people think 50 million in baseball is somehow now unconscionable. Mookie betts just got 380 million to play until hes 65 years old. Did the white sox overpay? Probably. But they have a loaded team and they have to pay up to get guys to play on the south side of chicago. The white sox have built a crazy talented team and their fans should be ecstatic
I’ve yet to see evidence of the depressed market we were told was coming. Just a delayed market.
Well you can’t argue that the CWS are any part of the MLB collusion case of the future. While bigger market teams are dumping salaries and screaming poor the CWS are paying players. For those that argue for Springer vs, Hendriks I think Eaton is the perfect #2 hitter that this team needs and it looks like LaRussa is going a little old school/+sabermetrics with this team.
MS Q: Agree. The White Sox were missing a grinder in their lineup. Eaton will show the kids how to take some professional ABs. Their adds this off-season really are perfect compliments to the roster and what it was lacking.
Lots of posts on this. Good for the site. Too much as he is not Mariano Rivera but you gotta pay to play. This is why they have free agency it is for the players. If the Jays want a player they are going to have to change their approach Ian’s pay a premium . If they wait they will still improve but it might be their plan d or e! I like trade route better. Too many post to read to see if anyone else made a similar point as me. Brad Hand is going to get paid!
Nobody else is Rivera. It’s between Hader and Hendriks, though, as to who’s been the most dominant closer since 2019. As for the Jays, I don’t think trades are right for them at this juncture, especially given the volatility of relievers. I’d rather lose $10-$11M/yr to sign Hand than lose a good prospect or two *and* have to pay whatever that reliever’s salary is, only to have one of the prospects become a good major leaguer while the reliever declines. Plus, their window is just opening, and may be a year away from being fully open. They could push it up by actually getting one or two of the guys they’ve been interested in, but that hasn’t happened yet. I view a lockdown closer as one of the final pieces, while they still have several significant other holes to fill.
This whole comment section needs to be nuked. so much misinformation based on imo – a rushed writeup. Nightengale’s tweet is easy to understand, shows the value in the structure and makes perfect sense why not only Liam went with this…but why it’s a fair market deal with interest gained over 3 years + ten years if the sox decline year 4:
Liam Hendriks’ contract breakdown with #WhiteSox:
$1 million signing bonus
2021: $11 million
2022: $13 million
2023: $14 million
2024: $15 club option or $15 million buyout.
So he is guaranteed $54 million over 3 or 4 years.
Let me put it this way for everyone to understand. So essentially, he’s making AAV $13mm per year for the next 3 years. If he lives up to his contract and earns his money in those 3 years and the White Sox/market dictates that his performance for the 4th year of the contract will equate to $15mm, then they will exercise that option and he will be on the team for his 4th and final year. If they decide not to, then they will not exercise that option, and still pay him the $15mm, but deferring the $15mm over a 10 year period from 2024-2033 at $1.5mm per year. An excellent signing for a lights out closer. Nice job by Rick Hahn yet again.
Not entirely happy with the way they’ve decided to go about this offseason. Sure, they’ve made improvements. That being said, I would have much preferred a different approach. Losing Dunning for 1 year of Lynn, and signing Hendriks to quite a hefty contract leave me a bit flat. Would’ve much rather have used this Hendriks money towards a pursuit of Bauer. Could’ve kept Dunning, or used him towards a different deal (Benintendi perhaps). Eaton is fine in a platoon with Engel. Not everyone needs to be a power hitter in the lineup. Would rather have had Hand than Hendriks. Even resign Colome to put a better offer towards getting Bauer. Haven’t been even remotely interested in Springer personally. I don’t understand why so many have been clamoring for his services. His numbers have obviously been skewed. Nonetheless, I’m glad the White Sox are being aggressive in their pursuit of their targets. Just hope I’m wrong on my gut feelings about these moves. Also, I don’t think this gives them the best bullpen in the AL by any means like I’ve seen others claim. It isn’t the worst by any stretch either. Maybe still go after Colome for a righty setup option? That would be a really deep bullpen then. Just my take.
I agree with you on Dunning—he’s worth more than one year of a 34 yr-old #3/4 pitcher.
I doubt Bauer has any interest in playing for La Russa. And frankly, they don’t need him considering the price ($30MM per annum).
The Sox should have pursued a trade for a quality, controllable RF if Springer wasn’t a target.
Liam Hendriks is a crucial signing for the Sox, because it gives them longterm depth and experience in the bullpen. They can, and should bring back Colome as well to lock down THE best bullpen in the MLB.
I really liked what I had seen from Dunning, albeit a small sample. I would’ve much rather they went after a Free Agent starter if need be, even if it wasn’t Bauer. I think they’ll be alright in RF. Granted it is the one position where they could obviously upgrade quite a bit, but you don’t need All-Stars at every position. I think Eaton (if healthy) and Engel will be competent enough. Better than Mazara turned out anyway. Although that’s a pretty low bar. Stay in house for a DH. Mercedes should get a shot. Collins could get some reps. Abreu will get some there when spelled by Grandal. Eventually hopefully Vaughn works out. Vaughn seems like he should be a good hitter though. I know Hendriks has been really good of late. I just don’t have a good feeling about it for whatever reason. Hope I’m wrong.
“34 yr-old #3/4 pitcher”
Yeah, that’s not even close to what they got. You’re talking about a top 10 pitcher in baseball since 2018.
The ChiSox are in win now mode. MIN and CLE are reloading; KCR is two years away from contention and DET is lost. The AL Central is theirs to lose.
I don’t know if Dane Dunning will be a star SP. He bypassed AAA and pitched in only 62 INN of just OK in AA in 2018. He did not pitch in 2019. I’ve been watching Jimmy Lambert. The ChiSox MiLB is much better than anyone in the media is giving the credit for, especially the pen.
Liam Hendricks is an upgrade over Alex Colome but again, the ChiSox MiLB is full of good looking RPs.
Trevor Bauer seems like he can be a head case. That won’t go over well in the ChiSox front office, especially after Ozzie.
They have Kopech, Cease, Lopez fighting for the #5 spot assuming they add a veteran #4 starter. Dunning was totally expendable and kudos to the sox for jacking up his value. Dunning had zero value this time last year. They gave him a few appearances late in the season, jacked up his value and traded high. Exactly how GMs dream to do it.
Some of of these athletes great salaries! Man!
Sox could have All-Stars at CF, LF, SS, 3B (if Moncada returns to 2019 form), 1B, SP, and RP. And there’s still the possibility of Madrigal developing or Grandal earning a spot, too. I know the offseason isn’t over, but with the Rays taking a step back, the Yankees having to rebuild their rotation, the Twins pretty silent so far, the Indians losing Lindor and Carrasco, the Astros losing Springer, and the A’s unable to re-sign their own FA’s, the White Sox might just be the best team in the AL. It’s been a long while since I’ve been able to think that.
World Series or Bust. Rick Hahn is not yet done. Trevor Bauer next?? Don’t forget they recently signed Yoelqui Cespedes the top international player.
Highly doubt Bauer. He may want to work with Katz, but playing for La Russa? I doubt it. The Sox have historically been old school when it comes to their approach and use of advanced metrics. Plus, if they won’t shell out for Springer, who is just as great a need for a lower price and for whom there aren’t any good internal options, I don’t see them paying Bauer when there’s at least the possibility of Kopech, Cease, Lopez, Crochet, Stiever, or Kelley becoming a solid SP.
Adding on to reasons to be optimistic about the White Sox this year is the fact that of the 11 players who received votes for the AL Cy Young in 2020, the White Sox now have 4 of them: Keuchel (4th place), Lynn (5th), Giolito (6th), Hendriks (9th).
No other team in the AL has more than one. In the NL, the Padres and Brewers have two 2020 vote-getters each — Darvish (2nd) and Lamet (4th) on the Padres; Burnes (6th) and Williams (8th) on the Brewers — with Bauer still to be signed.
Let’s not get carried away. Twins are better RIGHT NOW (without a single move) than the Sox. Twins have around 5 players ready and able to join the Big Team in 2021. When you already have the horses in the stable, there’s no need to spend $ on outside horses. They will still make a few moves to stabilize the farm, but they are in great shape as it is. You wanna talk about being the best in baseball? Earn it, then talk.
“You wanna talk about being the best in baseball? Earn it, then talk.”
Strong words coming from a fan of a team that hasn’t won a single playoff game since 2004. The White Sox have improved this offseason while the Twins have gotten worse in losing May and don’t look likely to re-sign Rosario or Cruz. And last year, Twins fans were commenting a lot about the White Sox’ young talent, saying that they hadn’t proven anything, but now that the Twins have prospects coming up, they’re automatically so good that you don’t need anyone else. lol.
I’m not completely writing off the Twins as competition, but I do believe the White Sox are better. Upgrading their closer, making a small upgrade at RF, having literally anyone other than EE at DH, and (the biggest change) upgrading SP by having Lynn over our #5, combine to make a team that finished just 1 game back last year better. I do expect the Twins to be in the hunt for the WC, and not too far back for the division, but they’re not better. Sox have the better BP, better rotation, and, even if the Twins’ lineup returns to 2019 form but you don’t re-sign Cruz or otherwise make up for that loss, the Sox’ offense is at least as good.
Win a playoff game and then talk!
Win a playoff game and then talk!
Is he even close to as successful as David Robertson was when signed? I don’t ever agree with spending these kinds of dollars on closers. They regress so quickly. All you need to know is what happened across town with Kimbrel. I hope it works out better for the Sox, but I don’t like the odds.
No. He’s not. He has had two exceptionally dominate years, but was pretty pedestrian the rest of his career. Robertson was coming off of four straight solid seasons, including a 39 save year the season prior.
While I certainly hope and think he will maintain dominance for another year or two, closers can crash and burn pretty quickly, which is why I just don’t find this to be a reasonable use of limited resources.
This is still a team that won a WS with a DFA closer, and that managed to find other closers either internally or through small deals. They had a converted SS do a solid job one year.
But if they win it all this year, it will have been worth it.
White Sox always fall for the “we’re just one shutdown bullpen arm away” when they never are. Last year it was “we’re just one catcher away” and now they have an overpriced, underproducing catcher on the team. Hendricks will, with very little doubt, be the next overpriced, underproducing member of your chicago white sox. same stuff, different offseason.
The sox “overpriced, underproducing catcher” tied in majors for 2nd best war in 2020.
1.9: perez KC
1.7: nola SD; realmuto Phila; Grandal
fangraphs.com/warleaders.aspx?season=2020&tea…
Let me guess, you stopped watching Grandal after the first week of the season?
Let me update you. After his terrible first 5 games, he slashed .243/.364/.458 for an .822 OPS. If you think that’s underperforming at the catcher position, you are sadly mistaken.
Money- What are you talking about? What a foolish post. Grandal is ranked as a top 3 catcher in the game by most. He wasn’t signed in an attempt to go for broke in 2020. Keep up with the rest of us please.
The massive difference being that Kimbrel was already showing signs of decline before signing his contract.
ChiSox rebuild is complete.
And yet they will somehow fail next season, watch.
Who is your favorite team? Sounds pretty bitter when they made the playoffs first year they were trying to do it in awhile.
What a huge overpay, he’s nowhere near that money,
SOX ARE STUPID
yeah 119mm payroll for 2021 with Hendricks and look at the odds in vegas, look at how their contracts are structured.. And Hendricks out performed every reliever making more than him BY A TON and everyone else over the last few years. The white sox have tons of $$$ flexibility and needed a closer so why not? Cubs paid more for Kimbrel and he is gonna get 16mil to be on bad team.. Kimbrel wasn’t even the number one reliever in baseball when he signed that.. they were desperate. At least white sox are doing this at the beginning of their window. Jansen is getting 20MM and Chapman is getting over 17MM in 2021.. So compared to those contracts sox actually got a deal. The White Sox now have 4 guys in the top 10 in AL cy young votes from last year. They could sign bauer and giolito to an extension and sign springer and still be good to go financially and under the luxury tax by a lot. but they really don’t NEED either free agent but they would be great additions obviously.. White Sox have soo much flexibility financially. Spending a few mil over might break the bank when you are close to the luxury tax. They have 91MM to go before they hit the 2021 lux tax threshold. lolol
The white Sox have around 40 million before they hit the luxury tax. It’s based on AAV not current salary. All these young players have back loaded contracts so it’s not as simple as saying they have tons of money. In the next 2-3 years their payroll is going to soar without adding a soul.
So did they structure this RIDICULOUS contract this way to get around going over the luxury tax?!?! Shady Sox.
Sox are way, way under the tax, and the way the contract is structured their cap hit is higher, not lower. Most likely the contract was structured this way at the request of the agent, to make it look like a bigger AAV, and it doesn’t cost the Sox anything to do that. (Assuming they always were giving him 4/54, why not call it “3/54” and make the fourth a fully guaranteed option from their point of view – just saves $$ when they are allowed to stretch it out).
Not only that, but if they refuse the 4th year option, the net present value of the contract falls well below 54 mill, more like 6 or 7 million one would guess for the buyout year (factoring in the 15 mill spread out over 10 years).
This is a team onfield AND in the office.
Here’s a question to the complaining fan:
Would you rather have Hendriks right now @ 4yr/$54M or trade Vaughn midseason for a rental reliever to round out the bullpen?
I know my answer.
I know the answer: This is an over pay
So was the $300M they offered Machado, and they didn’t get him. That’s the nature of free agency when you’re going after the big fish.
You know what else is an overpay? Torres for half a season of Chapman.
I know which overpay I’d prefer 100 times out of 100. Then again, I’m not Reinsdorf or his accountant.
This assumes they would need a reliever that would cost them Vaughn.
They very well could have a top-tier bullpen that is assisted by the addition of another inning-eater in the rotation, and an offensive player who keeps them from actually needed a closer.
This also assumes that the guys they have in house now can’t close. There is no doubt in my mind from what I saw last year that Bummer, Heuer or Crochet could all close.
You don’t like not giving Mercedes a chance? Neither do I. I don’t like not giving the young studs in the bullpen you already have a shot, either. Heck, I’m not certain Lopez couldn’t be a solid reliever if he could just focus on getting through a single inning.
These signings are great until in 2 years you realize you are an ace away or one monster bat away and you have no money. You could of just got Archie Bradley for 48 million less probably just as good.
Great pickup. I could care less how much he is getting paid, it’s not my money. LOL. That said, while Colome has great numbers, it seemed like every close-out was difficult, many times leaving runners on base, basses loaded, etc. Drove me nuts. 🙂 Now, Bauer? LOL I am not sold on Kopech’s commitment, maturity and mental toughness. Let’s see if he ends up a starter or a closer. However, first he has to actually show up.
The White Sox look nasty now. If there is money left to spend, I think either Michael Brantley or Joc Pederson make sense for the DH/LF spot. One more LH bat creates a pretty nice balance.
1. Anderson, SS (R)
2. Brantley, DH/LF (L)
3. Abreu, 1B (R)
4. Jimenez, LF/DH (R)
5. Grandal, C (S)
6. Robert, CF (R)
7. Moncada, 3B (S)
8. Eaton/Engel, RF (L/R)
9. Madrigal, 2B (R)
Giolito/Keuchel/Lynn/Kopech/Cease
I’d love for the White Sox to sign Michael Brantley but don’t expect them to meet his asking price, especially in terms of years which figures to be three. I don’t believe the White Sox want to invest that many seasons into a primary DH with so many internal options along with other FA’s who figure to command fewer years like Nelson Cruz or a more versatile Joc Pederson.
I also believe a younger, more athletic trade acquisition like Andrew Benintendi makes sense. He or Pederson would push defensively challenged and injury prone Eloy Jimenez into more of a DH role. It’s just a matter of what the White Sox prefer in their lefty bat, a high OBP/SLG like Pederson or one who makes better contact and hits for a higher average like Benintendi. The latter also has more SB skills and wouldn’t necessarily be a strict platoon option like Pederson who can’t hit LHP.
As for your batting order, there’s know way Yoan Moncada would be hitting in the #7 hole. Assuming Brantley is not coming to the southside, Moncada should be the #2 hitter. If Brantley is signed, I’d still hit Moncada #2, slot Brantley in at #3 and push the next four hitters down a slot. If the White Sox trade for Benintendi or sign Pederson, they would be nice options to hit in the #7 slot behind Luis Robert and ahead of Adam Eaton.
If Benintendi is acquired and the 2018 slimmer version shows up instead of the bulked up muscular one from 2019, he could be a candidate to hit #2 like he did in Boston when he was an integral part of their championship team. Same goes for Eaton if he is healthy and swinging the bat like he did as recently as 2019 with the Nationals when he also earned a ring. ‘Spanky’ was the White Sox primary leadoff hitter from 2014-2016 and posted oWAR numbers between 4.0-5.5. When healthy with the Nats, Eaton usually hit #2 behind Trea Turner.
Finally, look for the White Sox to add another veteran SP and start Michael Kopech at AAA Charlotte.
Meh. Reinsdorf is cheap. We want a pitcher, not a belly itcher.
Wow, that contract is a monster. The option is the same as the buy out and $15 million at that? But the worst feature is the vesting option when traded. If this contract sinks, the White Sox will never be able to move it. The Mariners had this same issue with Seager back when there was talk about moving him.
so getting the best closer in MLB for 11 mil this season, and 13 next season is a monster? The first two years is a steal based on his high level production. Year 3 is 14 (hopefully he is still performing) and year 4 can be spread out over 10 years at 1.5 mil – absolute peanuts for a major market team.
This team has a 3-5 year competitive window…the trading aspect doesn’t matter at ALL. Liam will be the White Sox closer for 4 years unless HE is a disaster. The overreactions on this are hilarious. He may put up enough WAR value in the first 2.5 years to pay for it easily.
worst type of of vesting option
So it looks like nobody’s got much of an opinion on this contract.
The contract pretty much makes the White Sox the American League favorite for the next three years. Best bullpen in the AL and probably baseball.
The final contract terms appear far more palatable than the originally reported deal of 3yrs./$54MM. Hendriks is still guaranteed $54MM regardless if he stays with the White Sox for 3 or 4 seasons but his deal is a bit more backloaded and if the team doesn’t pick up his fourth year option they can spread the remaining $15MM out in equal $1.5MM payments over 10 years.
Hopefully Hendriks will dominate over the full length of 4 seasons and be an integral part of a championship or three on the southside of Chicago. No White Sox fan will care about the money in that scenario which would still calculate to a reasonable $13.5MM AAV for a lights-out closer assuming he remains so.
@Aaron Sapoznik
I see conflicting reports on what his AAV is going to be. Cot’s has it at $18MM/yr from ’21-’23 (which could be wrong because they had it at a 3 yr/$54MM deal). I do believe whatever it is from ’21-’23, it will be $0 in ’24 because the option to keep him or boot him is the same amount.
Assuming this is the case, this will really help the Sox in regards to the tax threshold in ’24 (assuming he is still a good pitcher at that point). A few of their long term deals at that point turn into option years, so they will need some help keeping the total team AAV from exploding.
Right now, they are about $45MM away from the tax threshold, which seems like plenty of wiggle room. But if they’re going to try and extend Giolito (and Madrigal and even Vaughn), that may very well take them out of the Bauer sweepstakes (if they were ever in the Bauer sweepstakes to begin with). And if the rumor that JR lost $100MM+ last year between the Sox and Bulls has a shred of truth, I’m sure he’s not going to be eager to pay any luxury tax this season.
Sure seems like an overpay to me. Think a closer and set up man could
have come their way for 13.5 a year without four year commitments for either. I wouldn’t trust to get anything from Crochet or Kopech in 2021. I know it sounds crazy but one is coming back from TJ and the other had a forearm strain. We already knows what usually comes next. Division is theirs to lose. Should make a run at Cruz.
Love this signing!