As baseball’s preseason gets underway, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Will Hendriks sign?
Reporting yesterday indicated that All–Star closer Liam Hendriks has set a deadline of today for his free agency. Hendriks reportedly already has multiple offers in hand, and if he hasn’t signed somewhere today, the 35-year-old veteran figures to continue rehabbing Tommy John surgery on his own without signing on with a club in hopes of finding a deal over the summer once he’s ready to closer to game-ready. Hendriks has been among the sport’s most dominant relievers for half a decade now, with a 2.32 ERA and 2.19 FIP in 231 appearances since the start of the 2019 season. During that time, he’s collected 115 saves and struck out a phenomenal 38.3% of batters faced.
The right-hander made a triumphant return to the mound in May of last year after a months-long battle with cancer, but made just five appearances before going on the shelf with elbow inflammation in early June. Though he initially hoped the stint on the injured list would last only the minimum 15 days, he ultimately did not pitch again in 2023 and underwent Tommy John surgery in August, leading Chicago to decline his club option back in November. The right-hander makes at least some sense as a target for all 30 clubs given his dominance in recent years, though it’s unclear which teams will be willing to meet his asking price in the midst of his atypical free agency.
2. Day 2 of pitchers and catchers reporting:
With two-thirds of the league’s pitchers and catchers already reporting to Spring Training for their organizations, the final 10 clubs have set their reporting dates for today. The group of clubs kicking off spring activities today include the 104-win Braves and 101-win Orioles, both of whom are surely hoping for deeper postseason runs after having their incredible seasons cut short with a quick exit in the playoffs last year at the hands of the Phillies and Rangers, respectively. Also reporting today is a new-look Brewers team that lacks co-aces Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff, as well as a Yankees club that added Juan Soto and Marcus Stroman to the mix on the heels of a disappointing 82-80 season.
3. A’s to meet with local officials in Oakland:
It was reported earlier this week that the A’s are set to meet with city and county officials in Oakland today to discuss a possible extension of the club’s lease at the Coliseum that would cover the 2025-27 seasons, while the club’s planned ballpark in Las Vegas is constructed. The A’s have been searching for an interim home over the past few months, a hunt that has led them to consider locations such as Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and even sharing Oracle Park with the Giants.
Oakland mayor Sheng Thao has previously indicated that the A’s wouldn’t be granted an extended lease in Oakland without major concessions, such as the club forgoing the “Athletics” name when it heads to Nevada. Still, the organization stands to benefit financially from either working out an extended lease in Oakland or sharing Oracle Park with the Giants due to the club’s TV deal only being valid for as long as the club is playing in the Bay Area. Today’s meetings could offer some clarity regarding the options the A’s have at their disposal as they search for an interim home with just over a year until Opening Day 2025.
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