White Sox: 3 Wild Card teams that could use Liam Hendriks in 2023

The 2022 Chicago White Sox season obviously didn’t go as planned. As a result of their mediocre 81-81 year, they came in second place in the American League Central Division which had them outside of the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Following the conclusion of the regular season, the White Sox went home while the Wild Card round went on across the league. There were some really nice matchups.

A few teams that we saw over the weekend could really use a closer for a variety of reasons. They might want to consider Liam Hendriks this winter if the White Sox actually makes him available.

These three Wild Card teams from the weekend would be the perfect fit for a Liam Hendriks trade if that actually becomes a possibility during the offseason:

1. Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays could be interested in a player like Liam Hendriks in 2023.

Liam Hendriks played for the Toronto Blue Jays once upon a time. It didn’t go as well for him there as it has in recent years with the Oakland A’s and Chicago White Sox but he is a completely different pitcher these days.

Right now, he is one of the three or four best closers in the world. When he comes into the game late with a lead, you can be pretty confident that his team is going to win.

During their series against the Seattle Mariners over the weekend, they lost in two games. The first game was a loss because they weren’t able to close the door after going up 8-1. It was one of the most devastating losses in the history of the league.

If they had a closer like Liam Hendriks in their bullpen, they might have been able to secure the win. In that case, you never know what would have happened in the winner take all game three. It is certainly something for the Jays to address this off-season.

2. St. Louis Cardinals

Liam Hendriks might be a nice fit with the St. Louis Cardinals next season.

The only team whose bullpen failed them more than the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend is the St. Louis Cardinals. They had a 2-0 lead going into the ninth inning in game one of their series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Instead of closing it out, they allowed the Phillies to score six runs in the ninth. It was an incredible comeback victory in its own right. However, if the Cardinals had a guy like Liam Hendriks pitching, they might have won the game.

A day later, the Phillies controlled the score of the entire game and completed the two-game sweep of the Cardinals. They took all of the momenta that St. Louis had and turned it into their own. Now, Philly is off to the National League Division Series.

The Philadelphia Phillies don’t have a great bullpen either but the Cardinals let this one slip away so they might be in the market for some help. With some big names coming off the books this year, they might be looking to add someone like Hendriks.

There is certainly a lot that the White Sox could get in return if they were to make a deal with them. If the price is right, it is something to consider.