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Blue Jays Rumours: Is Liam Hendriks close to signing with Toronto?

By Clayton Richer

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image.) Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 12, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image.) Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 12, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Free agent closer Liam Hendricks was reportedly observed visiting the Blue Jays spring training complex in Dunedin earlier today.

According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, a familiar face was seen lurking around the Blue Jays recently renovated spring training facility in Dunedin. Davidi reported that free agent closer Liam Hendriks was at the complex earlier today, however, it is unknown if it was a recruitment pitch or possibly a medical ahead of finalizing a deal.

Hendriks is arguably the most sought after reliever on the open market and should control his own destiny this offseason. The 31-year old has owned an earned run average under 2.00 for the past two seasons accumulating 39 saves over that same tenure.

The native of Australia made 24 appearances in 2020 posting a career-low 1.78 earned run average with 14 saves in 25.1 innings of work for the Oakland Athletics. In 2019, the reliever appeared in 75 games earning a 1.80 earned run average with 25 saves and a 3.5 WAR across 85 innings.

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Hendriks spent parts of two seasons with Toronto in 2014 and 15, the Blue Jays would eventually deal him to Oakland in exchange for pitcher Jesse Chavez. The right-handed sported a 6-0 record with a 3.46 earned run average in 61 games for the Jays.

The reliever earned a modest $5.3 million in 2020 and should easily double that average annual income on the open market. It has been reported that the Houston Astros, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox have all been linked to Hendriks thus far this offseason.

The Blue Jays are currently without a proven closer as Ken Giles is a free agent after undergoing Tommy John surgery last season. As it stands now, the Jays are likely to employ Rafael Dolis and or Jordan Romano as the closer.

Next. Clock is ticking on Tomoyuki Sugano decision. dark

Could Hendriks have been at the facility today to undergo a physical or was the reliever just checking on the new digs in Dunedin so he can make an informed decision in the event an offer does come his way from Toronto.

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