(670 The Score) Veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks’ representation and the Cubs are working on a contract extension that would keep Hendricks with the club beyond 2024, according to two sources.
The Cubs appear ready to pick up the $16-million club option for 2024 on Hendricks’ contract but are also eyeing a deal that would extend beyond that. Hendricks, who will turn 34 in December, posted a 3.74 ERA in 137 innings across 24 starts in 2023, when he returned from a serious shoulder injury that cost him much of the 2022 season.
Both chairman Tom Ricketts and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer have publicly given the impression that they want to keep Hendricks in a Cubs uniform, and he wants to remain in Chicago too.
“One of the great stories of the summer was his return as a good starting pitcher,” Ricketts said in early October. “Not quite the 2016 Kyle Hendricks but still very effective. It will be Jed’s decision what to do. But at this point, I see him coming back.”
The Cubs are the only team that Hendricks has pitched for at the MLB level, as he debuted for them in 2014 after they acquired him from the Rangers in a trade in 2012.
“It’s their decision in the end,” Hendricks told 670 The Score at the end of the regular season. “I was happy with what I was able to do this year and hopefully prove to them I am still myself. I still think I can get outs and wins for this team when we need it. It’s their decision ultimately, but I have so much trust in them. They have given me so many opportunities since I have been here. So much respect they have given me. There will be some discussions soon and we will see what happens.”
Behind ace Justin Steele, the Cubs’ rotation is in flux a bit as everyone awaits right-hander Marcus Stroman’s decision on his $21-million player option for 2024. Stroman must inform the team of his decision by early November.
Stroman, 32, was an All-Star in 2023, when he had a great first half before struggling in the second half and dealing with injury. He posted a 3.95 ERA in 136 2/3 innings.
Right-hander Jameson Taillon will return to the Cubs’ rotation after an up-and-down 2023. Lefty swingman Drew Smyly and a pair of youngsters in left-hander Jordan Wicks and right-hander Javier Assad are options as well. Right-hander Cade Horton is considered the best pitcher in the Cubs’ farm system and appears to almost be big league-ready after posting a 2.65 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across three minor league levels in 2023. He finished the season at Double-A Tennessee, where he dominated while making six starts.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.