Cubs legend Kyle Hendricks signing deal to join Angels
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Kyle Hendricks’ time in Chicago is officially nearing an end.
The veteran righty is close to signing a 1-year deal with the Angels, per 670 the Score and Marquee Sports Network contributor Bruce Levine.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman confirmed the deal was worth about $3 million:
Hendricks joined the Cubs in 2012 in a trade with the Rangers that sent Ryan Dempster to Texas and brought back the righty and infielder Christian Villanueva. Hendricks went on to become a staple for the Cubs franchise.
The righty debuted in 2014 and immediately shined — in 13 starts that year, he posted a 2.46 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 80.1 innings. He established himself as a bonafide member of the rotation the next year, going 8-7 with a 3.95 ERA in 180 innings across 32 starts.
[WATCH: Kyle Hendricks soaks in his final start at Wrigley Field]
2016, though, was the year he really put himself on the map — and where he made lifelong memories for Cubs fans. Hendricks won the ERA title, posting a 2.13 ERA in 190 innings and finishing third in the NL Cy Young Award voting. He was a pivotal piece for the Cubs as they ended their 108-year championship drought.
Hendricks started Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, scattering just 2 hits in 7.1 shutout innings as the Cubs clinched their first NL pennant since 1945. Hendricks tossed 4.1 scoreless innings in Game 3 of the World Series against Cleveland. He was given the ball in Game 7 of the Fall Classic, allowing a run on 2 hits with 2 strikeouts in 4.2 innings as the Cubs won in dramatic fashion, claiming a historic World Series crown.
The Professor signed a 5-year contract extension before the 2019 season, the only member of the championship core to sign a long-term pact.
He was a key member of Cubs rotations in years to come, including 2024, when he was in the team’s Opening Day starter mix.
But Hendricks struggled over extended periods for the first time in his career. Through 7 starts in 2024, Hendricks carried a 10.47 ERA and was moved into a bullpen role for the first time in his career. He eventually returned to the rotation and finished the year there.
In his final outing in a Cubs uniform, Hendricks turned back the clock, tossing an absolute gem — 7.1 scoreless innings on 2 hits against the Reds. He was taken out in the 8th inning by his longtime coach, Tommy Hottovy, and received thunderous applause from the Wrigley Field crowd.
The Cubs had a feeling at the end of the year that it was the last time Hendricks would suit up for the team. It was a perfect send-off and moment and to bring him back and potentially harm that would have been difficult for fans and Hendricks.
Jake Arrieta received a return of his own ahead of the 2021 season and struggled. The difficulties that both Arrieta and the Cubs went through were something the franchise simply didn’t want to repeat with Hendricks.