Liam Hendriks rumors heating up: A trade that works for the Mets

Fresh off losing Seth Lugo, the New York Mets could take a big swing for Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks.

Liam Hendriks would serve as a dynamic one-two punch with current Mets closer, Edwin Diaz. Any trade of a player like Hendriks would be met by riots from the White Sox fanbase, as the team hasn’t done nearly enough to improve so far this offseason.

Per Jon Heyman, multiple teams are in on Hendriks, including the Mets. The White Sox are also in no hurry to trade him, as they don’t have an obvious replacement at the closer spot. And, despite popular fan belief, the front office does want to improve this offseason. Trading Hendriks feels like a step back.

What a White Sox-Mets trade for Liam Hendriks would look like

In Hendriks, the Mets would get one of the best relievers in all of baseball. He’s signed through the 2024 season, with a club option after 2023, so he’s not technically on an expiring contract. New York’s interest is tied to forming an elite back-end bullpen duo of Edwin Diaz and the aforementioned Hendriks, who would likely set him up.

As for Chicago, if they are going to give up a player like Hendriks, they need players who can contribute to the MLB roster right away, rather than just prospects. Carrasco would be a good fit in the White Sox rotation. He has experience in the AL Central, and is coming off a solid comeback season, in which he finished with a sub-4 ERA.

Vientos is MLB-ready and a top-10 prospect in New York’s system. He can play first base, which Chicago has some need for after losing Jose Abreu. Khalil Lee offers some young outfield depth.

Surely, some will poke holes in this trade, but if the White Sox are to move an elite reliever like Hendriks, there will always be detractors.