Dodgers Longtime Target Liam Hendriks Hitting Free Agency, Should LA Pursue Him?

The Dodgers are entering the offseason with many needs across the board on their roster, and after another poor playoff result, they have work to do. The team is expected to pursue two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and upgrade their starting rotation this winter to give them a better chance next season.

But one interesting name has just hit the free agent market after his option for next season was declined. That would be veteran relief pitcher Liam Hendriks of the Chicago White Sox.

Hendriks did undergo Tommy John Surgery in early August to repair a torn UCL, and it is likely that he could miss the entire 2024 season. So, he wouldn’t be much help to the Dodgers for next season, but the team has been known to sign pitchers who are rehabbing from injuries for future roster plans.

Hendriks is as mentally tough as they come as well. He overcame having cancer and made his incredible comeback earlier this season before the injury. Prior to going out, he played in five games, posting an ERA of 5.40.

Hendriks could make some sense for the Dodgers this offseason to sign with the 2025 season in mind. They did this exact situation with former reliever Tommy Kahnle years ago, knowing that he would miss the entire 2021 season.

He returned to the team in 2022 after rehabbing the first few months and appeared in 13 games for the team. LA could look to do the same with Hendriks, and he has been linked to them in previous seasons.

When healthy he is one of the better relievers in the game, and it may not cost much to get him since he will miss the entire 2024 season in all likelihood. Fans can think of how the team structured their deal with relief pitcher Alex Reyes earlier this year. They signed him to a one-year deal with $1.1 million that had a club option for the following season.

This is certainly something that could make sense for the Dodgers, and Hendriks could rehab with the team. If he looks good, LA could pick up the option, and if not, they cut the cost and don’t think twice about it.

Hendriks is 34 years old right now, but it seems that he still wants to keep playing. This could be a good way to get a solid reliever in the mix for 2025, and that makes him a low-end target for this offseason.

Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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