TRADE ALERT: Boston Adding Three-Time All-Star Relief Pitcher
The trade involving John Schreiber on Saturday indicated that the Red Sox were satisfied with their bullpen situation, particularly the group of right-handed pitchers.
However, just two days after the trade with the Kansas City Royals, Boston strengthened their bullpen by making another addition.
The Red Sox are on the verge of acquiring experienced reliever Liam Hendriks, as initially revealed by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam. After completing a medical assessment with the team, Hendriks is anticipated to sign a two-year contract worth $10 million with potential performance incentives, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
Henriks will not be able to have an immediate influence on Boston, as the 35-year-old had Tommy John surgery in early August and is projected to be sidelined until approximately the trade deadline this season, as Cotillo reported. However, should Hendriks join the Red Sox towards the end of July, he might enhance the team’s formidable late-game bullpen in partnership with set-up pitcher Chris Martin and closer Kenley Jansen.
Hendriks, an All-Star in three out of the past five seasons, is just three years away from topping the American League in saves. The right-handed pitcher demonstrated his toughness last season by overcoming a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and making a comeback on the field in late May. His brave comeback earned him the 2023 AL Comeback Player of the Year Award as recognition for his remarkable journey.
