Cubs: You can add Kyle Hendricks to the list of potential trade pieces

If you thought last summer’s trade deadline extravaganza was a lot to process emotionally, you might want to start preparing yourself for round two. The Cubs appear poised to run it back ahead of the Aug. 2 deadline, with Willson Contreras, Ian Happ and, now, Kyle Hendricks potentially on the block.

Jon Heyman specifically mentioned Hendricks during an appearance on 670 WSCR Tuesday morning, adding his name to an ever-growing list of Cubs who could potentially be on the move in the weeks to come.

“I do expect there will be a market for Kyle Hendricks. I’d put him on that list with [David] Robertson, [Willson] Contreras, and the other Cubs players who’ll be out there in the market and pursued by other teams.”

The point of selling high on Hendricks is now several years behind us. His performance in the shortened 2020 campaign was the last time he looked like the guy who anchored the Cubs’ rotation for the better part of a decade. Still, he’s been as durable as they come and has extensive postseason experience a contender is sure to value.

The veteran right-hander makes just $14 million next year – the final year of the extension he signed with the Cubs back in March 2019. That means he’s not going to break the bank and, as we saw in his last start, he’s still more than capable of dialing it in and shutting down opposing lineups.

Over the weekend, Hendricks turned in 7 1/3 scoreless on the road against the Cardinals, striking out six and walking just one. Month by month, he’s slowly improved – from a 5.47 ERA in the season’s first month to a 4.15 mark here in June. If he can keep that momentum up heading into July, the number of potential suitors interested will surely grow.

Of course, starting pitching has been a thorn in the side of this team all year long, with three-fifths of the projected Opening Day rotation currently on the IL. With Marcus Stroman, Wade Miley and Drew Smyly sidelined, a Hendricks trade would be a tough pill to swallow, despite the fact he hasn’t been as effective as he once was.

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But if there’s anything the last 12 months have taught us is that’s Jed Hoyer certainly won’t let any nostalgia cloud his vision for the future. If someone comes calling on Hendricks and the offer is right, ‘The Professor’ could be teaching classes somewhere else come August.