Chicago Cubs Take a Calculated Flier: Liam Hendriks Signs Minor League Deal

The Chicago Cubs have made a low-risk, high-reward move that has the potential to reshape the back end of their bullpen. According to multiple reports, including a breaking story from The Athletic, the Cubs have signed three-time All-Star right-hander Liam Hendriks to a minor league contract. The veteran reliever is expected to report to Triple-A Iowa, with the organization taking a patient approach to his return to form.

For a Cubs team that has already exceeded expectations in the early part of the 2025 season, this signing represents a classic “buy low” opportunity. Hendriks, 37, is a proven closer with a resume that includes a 2019, 2021, and 2022 All-Star selection, as well as an AL-leading 38 saves in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox. But the question on every fan’s mind is: which Liam Hendriks will show up in Wrigleyville?

The Road to Wrigley: Why Hendriks Was Available

Hendriks’ path to the North Side was anything but straightforward. He spent spring training with the Minnesota Twins, competing for a bullpen spot. However, the Twins informed him he would not make the final roster, granting him his release. This came after a difficult 2024 season with the Boston Red Sox, where Hendriks posted a 6.59 ERA with a 0-2 record over 14 appearances.

The numbers from Boston are alarming, but context is critical. Hendriks was still working his way back from a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which sidelined him for the majority of the 2023 season. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2023, a procedure that typically requires 12-18 months of recovery. By the time he took the mound for the Red Sox in 2024, he was essentially pitching on one leg—both physically and mechanically.

“The velocity was down, the command was erratic, and the slider didn’t have its usual bite,” one scout told me during the 2024 season. “But you could see the competitor in there. He just couldn’t execute.”

The Cubs are betting that another full year of recovery, combined with a lower-pressure environment in Triple-A, will allow Hendriks to rediscover the form that made him one of the most dominant closers in the game.

What Hendriks Brings to the Cubs Bullpen

When healthy, Liam Hendriks is a difference-maker. His arsenal is built around a high-spin four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-90s, a devastating knuckle-curve, and a slider that induces weak contact. At his peak in 2021, he posted a 2.54 ERA with a 0.73 WHIP and 113 strikeouts in 71 innings. Those are elite closer numbers.

Even in his diminished state with Boston, there were flashes. In three of his 14 outings, he struck out the side. The issue was consistency. His release point was inconsistent, likely a lingering effect of the Tommy John recovery, and he struggled to put hitters away when ahead in the count.

The Cubs bullpen is currently a strength, anchored by Adbert Alzolay as the closer and Julian Merryweather as the primary setup man. But adding a veteran with Hendriks’ pedigree creates a luxury: depth. If Hendriks can find his rhythm in Iowa, he could be a high-leverage arm by the All-Star break.

Key attributes Hendriks offers:

• Clutch experience: 38 saves in 2021, including 11 in September during a playoff push.
• Clubhouse leadership: Known as an intense, vocal presence who holds teammates accountable.
• Postseason pedigree: 3.86 ERA in 11 career playoff appearances, including a save in the 2021 ALDS.

Expert Analysis: A Low-Risk, High-Reward Gamble

From a front-office perspective, this move is a textbook example of asymmetric risk. The Cubs are not paying Hendriks a guaranteed major league salary. They are giving him a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training (which is already over, but this is a post-spring signing). If he fails, the Cubs lose nothing but a roster spot in Iowa. If he succeeds, they gain a veteran closer who could be a trade chip or a key piece for a potential playoff run.

Let’s break down the bullpen dynamics. Currently, the Cubs have Alzolay (2.08 ERA), Merryweather (1.80 ERA), and Yency Almonte (3.12 ERA) handling the late innings. Adding Hendriks would give manager Craig Counsell a fourth high-leverage option, allowing him to shorten games even further. Counsell is known for his aggressive bullpen management, often using his best relievers in the seventh and eighth innings. Hendriks’ ability to close would allow Alzolay to slide into a setup role, creating a two-headed monster at the back of the pen.

However, there are red flags. Hendriks will be 38 years old in June. His fastball velocity in 2024 averaged 93.2 mph, down from 96.1 mph in 2021. The drop in velocity is concerning, but not unprecedented. Many pitchers regain velocity in the second year after Tommy John surgery. Additionally, Hendriks’ spin rate on his curveball remains elite, ranking in the 85th percentile among relievers last season. If he can locate that pitch consistently, he can still be effective even without elite velocity.

One scout I spoke with who watched Hendriks in spring training with the Twins noted: “The stuff is still there, but it’s not consistent. He’ll throw three pitches in a row that look like vintage Hendriks, then two that are flat. It’s a timing issue. He needs reps.”

Predictions: What to Expect from Hendriks in 2025

Based on his recovery timeline, medical history, and recent performance, here are three realistic scenarios for Liam Hendriks in a Cubs uniform:

Scenario 1: The Comeback (Most Likely)
Hendriks spends 4-6 weeks in Triple-A Iowa, working on his mechanics and building arm strength. He posts a 3.50 ERA in 15 appearances, striking out 18 batters in 15 innings. By late June, he is called up to the majors and becomes the Cubs’ primary setup man. He finishes the season with a 3.20 ERA and 8 holds, proving he can still pitch in high-leverage situations.

Scenario 2: The Trade Chip (Best for Cubs)
Hendriks rediscovers his closer form in Iowa, posting a 1.80 ERA with 5 saves. The Cubs call him up in July, and he immediately takes over the closer role from Alzolay, who moves to setup. By the trade deadline, a contending team like the Baltimore Orioles or Texas Rangers offers a mid-level prospect for Hendriks. The Cubs flip him for future value, having paid him nothing.

Scenario 3: The Bust (Worst Case)
Hendriks’ velocity never returns to the mid-90s. He struggles with command in Iowa, posting a 6.00 ERA in 10 appearances. The Cubs release him in July, and he retires. This scenario costs the Cubs nothing but a minor league roster spot.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Signing Matters

The Cubs are in a fascinating position. They are currently contending for the NL Central title, but they are not a lock. The Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals are both within striking distance. Adding a veteran like Hendriks is a signal that the front office believes this team can win now—but without sacrificing long-term flexibility.

This is a culture move as much as a talent move. Hendriks is known for his fiery personality and his “us against the world” mentality. He is the kind of player who can galvanize a clubhouse, especially a young team that is still learning how to win close games. His presence in the bullpen could be the intangible that pushes the Cubs from a wild-card team to a division winner.

Conclusion: A Calculated Risk Worth Taking

In the world of baseball transactions, the Chicago Cubs just made a very smart bet. Signing Liam Hendriks to a minor league deal is a zero-risk move with the potential for a massive payoff. If he returns to even 80% of his All-Star form, the Cubs have added a top-tier reliever for pennies on the dollar. If he doesn’t, they move on without a scratch.

For Hendriks, this is a chance to prove that his battle with cancer and his elbow surgery are behind him. For the Cubs, it’s a chance to add a player who has been one of the most dominant closers of his generation. The next few weeks in Iowa will tell us everything. But one thing is certain: when Liam Hendriks takes the mound at Wrigley Field for the first time, the roar of the crowd will be deafening.

Prediction: Hendriks will be in the Cubs’ bullpen by July 1, and he will record at least 5 saves for Chicago in the second half of the season. The comeback is real.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.

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