Liam Hendriks, the top reliever on the free-agent market and one of the best closers in baseball, signed a four-year, $54 million contract, including a $1 million signing bonus, the team announced Friday.
Under the terms of the deal, Hendriks will receive $11 million in 2021, $13 million in 2022 and $14 million in 2023, with the Sox holding a $15 million option or $15 million buyout for 2024. If the club option is declined, the buyout will be paid in 10 equal installments between 2024–33.
“With the acquisition of Liam, we are adding another premium talent to our core group of players,” Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement.