With both young arms and possible free agents available, does Kyle Hendricks still have a spot in the Chicago Cubs starting rotation? Hendricks is still one of the more popular members of the Cubs. His heroics during the 2016 season and World Series run buoys him as an all-time favorite in Wrigleyville. “The Professor” is the last remaining member of that championship team, but what does this mean for his viability to remain as a starter with the 2024 version of the Cubs? Hendricks is the middleman between upcoming young stars and possible free agent big signings. Does this mean he might be pushed out as a reliable starter?
Earlier this week, it was suggested that Hendricks may not even be called upon to take the ball during the first week of the season. In addition to placing third in the National League Cy Young Award race in 2016, he may have been the most reliable starter on that 2016 team. Nearly a decade later, Hendricks is in the final year of his contract, and his role could be in question.
Kyle Hendricks and the Next Era of Cubs Baseball
Young Arms vs. Veteran Starter
There have been years where Hendricks has either started slow or been injured early in the season. At age 34, Hendricks will make $16.5 million before incentives. Assuming he is healthy, he can still make 30 starts for the ballclub. However, there is a feeling within the organization that some of the stars of the minor league system could be moving up to the big-league club. Names such as Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad, and Caleb Kilian are all looking for innings. Justin Steele and the newly signed Shota Imanaga are locked for the foreseeable future. That means that if Hendricks doesn’t perform, he could be replaced by midseason.
Will He Perform?
Hendricks’ returned to the rotation last year as he helped the Cubs in a significant way. Chicago climbed out from 10 games under .500 to stay in the postseason hunt until late September. Prior to that, his first three starts of the season were up-and-down but he turned the corner against the San Francisco Giants in June. Hendricks was four outs away from a no-hitter before Mitch Haniger hit a double. He went 6-8 with a 3.74 ERA as he worked through five-plus innings in 19 of his 22 starts. That also includes the last nine starts of the season.
Hendricks not being in the starting rotation seems like a long shot. But it could be a possibility if he struggles in April and May. One positive for Hendricks is that he has never been a power pitcher. Essentially, it’s not like he’s losing stuff off of his fastball as the consistency and velocity remain intact. If he can continue to spot his change-up and fastball, his place in the rotation is secure. As recently as 2020, Hendricks led the league in walks per 9 innings and was in the top 10 in WHIP. For the Cubs to be successful this season, they need Hendricks to be solid.
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