Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has discussed throughout the offseason the desire to add an impact arm to the bullpen when asked about what his goals are to improve the roster going into 2021.
So far the Dodgers have made a few moves to add to the bullpen by acquiring right-hander Corey Knebel and left-hander Garrett Cleavinger and signing right-handers Tommy Kahnle (out for 2021), Brandon Morrow, Brock Stewart, Andrew Schwaab, and left-hander James Pazos. However, of those signings, only Knebel and Morrow (if healthy) could be viewed as impact arms.
The Dodgers and Friedman appear to still be searching for that impact arm and that search reportedly has them looking at free-agent right-hander Liam Hendriks.
Dodgers have strong interest in free-agent reliever Liam Hendriks, according to league sources. Hendriks is visiting the Blue Jays complex in Dunedin today and is drawing interest from the White Sox, among others.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 4, 2021
Robert Murray of FanSided reported yesterday that the Dodgers have “strong interest” in Hendriks according to league sources. Murray also reported that Hendriks was seen visiting the Blue Jays complex in Florida yesterday and that he also has interest from multiple teams.
The news that the Dodgers have a strong interest in Hendriks does not come as a surprise considering that Hendriks was linked to the Dodgers from the moment that free agency kicked off after the World Series. Jeff Passan of ESPN also reported two weeks ago that the Dodgers were showing interest in Hendriks.
Hendriks, 31, went 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and had a 37/3 K/BB rate in 25.1 innings in 2020.
Hendriks, who made $5.3 million in 2020, is reportedly looking for a 4-year deal with some insiders predicting his contract will be in the $50 million range.
For the Dodgers, adding a reliever of Hendriks’ caliber would not only be a difference-maker but it would greatly increase the quality of the Dodgers bullpen heading into 2021 and beyond.