The Mets had interest in signing reliever Liam Hendriks. Here's the latest...
Jan. 8, 7:26 a.m.
Hendriks is off the market and has agreed to a three-year deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to multiple reports. It includes an option for a fourth year and the right-hander is guaranteed $54 million, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Jan. 7, 5:47 p.m.
After the Francisco Lindor/Carlos Carrasco blockbuster, the Mets' payroll sits at about $180 million, with the luxury tax sitting at about $210 million.
SNY's Andy Martino noted on Thursday that even after Thursday's monstrous acquisition, the Mets could still land one of Liam Hendriks or Brad Hand.
Considering the Mets are still in the George Springer sweepstakes, the odds of them getting both (with or without Springer) are slim, as Martino notes the Mets would like to stay under the tax on Opening Day, that way they can make roster moves in-season.
Jan. 5, 10:49 p.m.
While the Mets have been linked to the top two closers on the market in Hand and Hendriks, MLB network's Jon Heyman reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers are also in the mix for both pitchers.
After re-signing stud setup man Blake Treinen to a two-year deal, the Dodgers could be looking to "build a super pen," per Heyman.
Jan. 4, 3:43 p.m.
Hendriks is visiting the Toronto Blue Jays' spring training complex in Dunedin, Fla. on Monday, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
According to Feinsand, Hendriks is scheduled to meet with Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro.
Along with the Blue Jays, the Chicago White Sox are "believed to be serious" about signing Hendriks, per Feinsand.
SNY's Andy Martino reported on Dec. 9 that the Mets have interest in signing Hendriks, which would further bolster a bullpen that Trevor May was added to earlier this offseason.
Hendriks, who turns 32 years old in February, has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the last two seasons while pitching for the Oakland Athletics.
Dec. 14, 11:39 a.m.
In addition to the Mets, the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays are pursuing Hendriks, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Per Passan, another team to keep an eye on in the Hendriks sweepstakes could be the Philadelphia Phillies, who recently hired Dave Dombrowski as their president of baseball operations and are looking to fix a bullpen that was one of their main issues in 2020.
With new GM Jared Porter on board, the Mets will continue to execute the offseason plan that was put in place by team president Sandy Alderson.
Even if the Mets land a star free agent such as George Springer, they should be able to fit a reliever such as Hendriks in the budget.
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Dec. 9, 6:10 p.m.
The Mets have interest in signing Hendriks, reports SNY's Andy Martino.
Per Martino, while the Mets are in play for the top stars on the free agent market such as George Springer and Trevor Bauer, the addition of Hendriks could help them build a "super bullpen" -- and would not necessarily preclude them from still adding a big star.
Featuring a blazing fastball that he pairs with a slider and curve, Hendriks had a 1.78 ERA and 0.67 WHIP with 37 strikeouts in 25.1 IP in the shortened 2020 season.
In 2019, Hendriks had a 1.80 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 124 strikeouts in 85 IP.