Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks. Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Mets eyeing trade for three-time All-Star closer

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 12/20/22

The New York Mets have been very busy in MLB free agency this winter, and now it looks like they plan to get their feet wet in the trade market and are pursuing one of the best closers in the league.

After falling well short of their postseason goals in 2022, the Mets entered a pivotal offseason. The organization needed to maintain the 101-win standard it set this year while also trying to improve the roster.

Over the last month, the team has lost ace and team legend Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker from their starter staff. However, they have replaced them with American League Cy Young Justin Verlander, veteran Jose Quintana and Japanese ace Kodai Senga. They also re-signed centerfielder Brandon Nimmo and All-Star closer Edwin Diaz to massive long-term deals.

Despite being one of the most active teams in MLB free agency, the roster still has notable holes, especially in the bullpen. Over the last week, the organization has lost key members of the 2022 bullpen in Seth Lugo, Trevor May and Mychal Givens. However, to continue to maintain and improve the roster, the team is now interested in swinging a blockbuster trade for an elite closer.

Good bullpens can make a good team a serious World Series contender. That is how important they have become in the postseason over the last two decades. Well, on Tuesday MetsMesmerizedOneline.com executive editor Michael Myers reported the team has checked in about a certain 2022 All-Star reliever.

“Source: The Mets are one of the teams that have contacted the White Sox about trading for reliever Liam Hendriks. Hendriks has a posted a 2.66 ERA, 75 saves, 0.87 WHIP, and 13.8 K/9 in two seasons in Chicago.”
– Report on Mets’ pursuit of Liam Hendriks

Over the last four seasons, split between the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox, Hendriks has risen up the ranks to become one of the best closers in the game. He has earned All-Star honors in three of the last four years and tallied 114 saves in that time.

Over the last two seasons with the White Sox he has racked up 38 and 37 save years, respectively. He is signed for the next two seasons, with the 2024 season being a $15 million club option.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: