White Sox Reveal Plans on Liam Hendriks' Availability

With rumors swirling about teams making trade offers for Chicago White Sox All-Star closer Liam Hendriks, the club has put out a message about his availability.

The Chicago #WhiteSox say that while they indeed may be listening on trade overtures, their current plan is to retain All-Star closer Liam Hendriks in hopes they can bounce back and win the AL Central title.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 22, 2022

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the ChiSox do admit that they're listening to offers, but that "their current plan is to retain All-Star closer Liam Hendriks in hopes they can bounce back and win the AL Central title."

The White Sox were the preseason favorites to win the division in 2022, but a series of injuries and turmoil surrounding the bizarre behavior of aging manager Tony La Russa left the Pale Hose having a disastrous season, finishing 12 games worse than the year before when they won the division by 13 games. In 2022, it was a .500 record and a full 11 games back of division-winning Cleveland.

It's natural for the ChiSox to feel they can bounce back, although they'll have to do so without one of their longtime clubhouse leaders and most consistent performers of the last nine years, Jose Abreu, who left in free agency. 

As for Hendriks, he's been one of the top closers in baseball over the last four seasons, having compiled 314 saves in that period with the White Sox and Oakland A's. He led the American League with 38 saves in 2021, and followed that up this past season with another 37. 

But one National League contender has its sights set on acquiring him. 

Photo: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports