The exemption thread could allow Cubs to relive 2016 with Kyle Hendricks

Kyle Hendricks“The first summer in Southern California was anything but the recall with a mild landing that some people were considering.

THE Angels of Los Angeles took a leaflet over time for a long time Chicago Cubs ACE, hoping that his precision as a contact pitch could stabilize a rotation limited to the injury. Instead, inconsistency was the theme. Hendricks mixed the occasional vintage outing – mild contact, fast sleeves, low flies – with nights where strikers seem to know exactly what happens.

During his first months in Los Angeles, Hendricks figures hovered in this gray area between “usable” and “replaceable”. The era focused in the middle of 4 years, the whip slightly higher than its comfort zone. His change, for a long time, the signature ground that gave guessors guess even guess even when they became right, still flashes, but he did not constantly neutralized the left bats as he did once.

The Bleacher report predicts that Kyle Hendricks could be published by Angels

This was not a disaster – Hendricks command is always clear enough to avoid blowing sleeves, and its home race rate has been in check – but it was not a transformer either. And for a team that fights to avoid the Al West Cellar, the Angels Front Office could soon weigh the advantages of a veterans sleeve eater against the cost of a place in a lost season.

Stand Now lists Hendricks Among the veteran players most likely to be released before the end of the season. If this happens, there is a reunion scenario which is almost too easy to ignore.

Hendricks is not only another launcher who once wore Cubbie Blue. He is one of the last links to the list of 2016 World Series still active in the League, the rare player who could walk in Wrigley Field and immediately draw a standing ovation. He won a title of the era, launched shots in the playoffs and obtained the nickname of the “teacher” for his surgical approach on the mound.

And if it becomes available, Hendricks could be an interesting option to appease an frustrated fans base.

Bringing Kyle Hendricks could appease the base of frustrated fans of Chicago

In 10 seasons with the Cubs, Hendricks went 97-81 with an MPM of 3.68, and while the last years have seen inevitable decreases in speed and rhythm of withdrawal, Hendricks remained a stabilization force in a rotation that has traveled the movements of young people and short-term rentals. Even His 100th career victory This year, it was like an important step, even if it came elsewhere.

The rotation of the CUBS 2025 was a patchwork Since the opening day. Injuries have sidelined the main starters and commercial maturity reinforcements have never materialized. Instead of the kind of splash fans expected at the end of July – the guy who could have followed the pace with Milwaukee in the division race – the Cubs were largely stood.

This decision has frustrated fans Who see the team close enough to face but fairly short on reliable weapons to make a September push in September. Hendricks would not arrive like a Savior, but as a stabilizer – a launcher who could take the ball every fifth days and give five or six competitive sleeves without fire the enclosure of the lifts.

From the point of view of the front office, a request for exemption would be a footing note. From the point of view of the clubhouse, it would be a veteran presence with a championship experience that crosses the door. And from the point of view of fans, it would be the kind of title of August which really sells tickets.

There is no guarantee that Hendricks will reach derogations, and even if he does, Cubs can weigh the younger options. But it is a simple formula: the cost is minimal, the increase is stable sleeves and the story is a pleasure.

If the angels let him go, the cubs will not have to think too much about what to do next. Sometimes the good blow is also the sentimental feeling – and it would check the two boxes.

Dave Benson is a veteran writer with more than three decades of experience in journalism covering sports mainly in the metropolitan region of Saint-Louis. Dave is also an approved English teacher and has spent several years teaching in college. Learn more about Dave Benson