Liam Hendriks heads to Boston on 2-year contract

Former White Sox closer Liam Hendriks is now a member of the Red Sox, after agreeing to a two-year deal with Boston worth $10 million.

Hendriks was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in late 2022. He won his battle with that disease and returned to the White Sox in May 2023, but he only pitched five games before he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar ligament in his pitching elbow.

It is unlikely that Hendriks will contribute much to the Red Sox this season. The most optimistic timeline for him returning from Tommy John surgery would be in August. Essentially, Boston is betting the 35-year-old can return to form and be a force at the back end of its bullpen in 2025.

Hendriks spent three years in Chicago and was effective before his cancer diagnosis. He led the American League with 38 saves in 2021, and he followed that up with 37 saves in 2022. All total, he went 14-7 with a 2.76 ERA and 76 saves in 132 games with the White Sox.

I'm seeing some unhappiness among Chicago fans online with this Boston signing. It's clear that some fans wanted Hendriks back with the White Sox. The usual arguments about the organization being cheap are out in full force. Hendriks, of course, is a fan favorite and an inspiration to many because he overcame a life-threatening illness -- and did so with a remarkably positive attitude.

And while there's no question the White Sox are cheap, it's important to note that Hendriks is 35 years old, and he's running out of chances to win. Do you see a World Series coming to Chicago in the next couple of years? Nope, me neither.

One might argue that Boston is not on the cusp of greatness either, especially playing in the rugged American League East. However, the truth is everyone in the AL except for Oakland presents a better chance to win than Chicago, and it's tough to sell a veteran free agent on coming to the White Sox right now.

Not to mention, if the White Sox were going to spend some money, they should be spending it on something other than the bullpen. I still see plenty of holes in the lineup and in the starting rotation.

As I've always said about closers, they cannot do their job until everyone else does theirs. What good is an elite closer if he doesn't have many leads to protect?