Is Liam Hendriks worth the risk for Cubs? |
Reclamation projects and flyer-type free agent signings are nothing new in the MLB, but the Chicago Cubs have owned that market the past few seasons. Whether you believe in that process or not, Jed Hoyer and company firmly believe that taking a chance on players with past success can work out in their favor.
Some are returning from injuries, and some are just stuck in the middle of tough luck and are looking for a fresh start. More often than not, deals like this never work out, but for whatever reason, the Cubs seem to do well with those types of deals, and it cost them next to nothing on the bottom line. One area where Hoyer has thrived when it comes to reclamation projects has been the bullpen, as the Cubs continue to piece together what they feel is the perfect fit. Going back three seasons now, Hoyer has always had a reputation for piecing together a questionable bullpen that was often built on chances instead of success. Yet, for whatever reason the decisions he made often worked out and it's a big reason why a lot of the Cubs deadline deals came from their bullpen. Take last season, for example, when it comes to Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter Jr. Both were mediocre at best for most of their career, so their market was very quiet. Both chose to sign with the Cubs, and the rest is history as both of them went on to have great career-type seasons. No one saw that coming, but it has been a trend since Hoyer took over, and the Cubs, especially Craig Counsell, hope that continues. Should that be the case, one name to watch is former Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, who is still searching for a home. Unlike many top closers in the game, Hendriks will not pitch in 2024 as he will be recovering from Tommy John. Adding him will likely come with a multi-year deal tied to him with the hopes he can return in 2025 or even late 2024. This would seem like a win-win for both parties, but is Hendricks worth the risk, knowing what he has had to go through and what he is up against right now? Tommy John is hard enough for anyone to come back from, but for a guy who will be 35 next season and most likely not pitching until he is 36, the challenge of rounding back into form is real. However, if anyone can do it, Hendriks can, as he beat cancer last season before getting injured shortly after. For a bullpen to be successful, you need to have a plethora of options that you can count on and a lockdown closer that you can lean on in high-leverage situations. Adbert Alzolay performed admirably in the closer role last season and started his season 19 for 19 in save chances before finishing 22/25. That would seem like a lockdown guy, but when you look at his body of work and how he performed, you never get the sense he was a lockdown guy. While many expect him to be the closer again in 2024, guys like Merryweather or even Luke Little could challenge for the job this season, leaving the door open for someone new in 2025. That is where Hendriks could fall into play. A former starter early in his career, Hendriks didn't have much success and was thus moved to the bullpen in 2013. Since then, Hendriks has been a reliable middle to late-inning relief option, but it wasn't until 2019 that he emerged as a solid closer option. After registering just one save in his first eight seasons combined, Hendriks was the closer for the A's in 2019, where he notched 25 saves in 27 tires while also being named an all-star. He posted a 4-4 record with a 1.80 ERA and was quickly emerging as one of the better relievers in the game. One season later, Hendriks was at it again, going 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA and a perfect 14 for 14 in a COVID-shortened season. Those two seasons alone made him one of the most sought-after relievers in free agency, and the White Sox rewarded him with a three-year contract. From the moment that deal was signed, Hendriks gave the White Sox the late-inning arm they were lacking, as he appeared in 58 games during his first season on the South Side, going 8-3 with a 2.54 ERA. He also picked up a career-high 38 saves in 42 tries that season while walking only seven batters and striking out 113. One year later, he had similar results: picking up 37 more saves while blowing hitters away. Then came the news no one wanted to hear, as he was diagnosed with cancer over the winter and was going to miss some time in 2023. Not about to let that get to him, Hendriks knocked his cancer out of the park, and less than two months after the season began, he was back on an MLB mound, ready to go. From there, it was a painful few games as the rust was evident in his 5.40 ERA, and he was shut down after five innings before hearing the news that Tommy John was following. Expected to recover fully, Hendriks could be out of a job this season only to be forced to sign a prove-it deal in 2025. However, a team may be willing to take the risk on him and give him the multi-year deal that would do that. Knowing Hoyer and his track record, the Cubs are one of those teams that could do that, and Hendriks could be worth the risk. When healthy, Hendriks is everything you can ask for in a closer, as his high 97 MPH plus fastball, mixed with impeccable command, makes him a nightmare to go up against. He also brings with him the intensity that you look for and lives for the big moments. Hendriks has become an inspiration to many people in Chicago, and should he be willing to play the waiting game, he will find a home sooner rather than later.
