Red Sox sign Liam Hendriks to a two-year contract
The former closer Liam Hendriks inked a two-year contract with the Red Sox that includes a mutual option in 2026 to start the day’s events away from the White Sox. With an extra $10 million in incentives available, it guarantees $10 million.
Hendriks, who had elbow surgery just last summer, says he intends to pitch in the second half of 2024.
Now that Tim Anderson has left, the first position is up for grabs.
Pedro Grifol stated that while he has four players in mind, he hasn’t decided on a leadoff hitter yet. Andrew Benintendi, who batted first 44 times last year and slashed.301/.366/.393 in those games, was the only name he expressly brought up.
Alongside Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert Jr., Eloy Jimenez has lofty goals for this season, intending to participate in over 150 games. Although Jimenez played 120 games in 2023, which was his second-highest number ever, none of the three have ever accomplished that accomplishment. With 145 games played last year, Robert Jr. came closer to the mark, while Moncada’s highest total of 149 games dates back to 2018.
The Cactus League opener against the Cubs on Friday will be a bullpen day, per Pedro Grifol and his staff’s decision. Although Grifol gave a list of likely arms that included Jesse Chavez, Nicholas Padilla, Joe Barlow, Fraser Ellard, and Alex Speas, the starting pitcher for that game has not yet been announced.
