Former White Sox All-Star suddenly looks liked next answer for Cubs bullpen

The Chicago Cubs reached the All-Star break 12 games over .500, but there remain questions in the bullpen. It's possible the Cubs reach a point in September that Justin Steele, Ben Brown, and Jaxon Wiggins are a part of that mix, but before then, the Cubs will need to go the drawing board.

The trade deadline will certainly be a part of that conversation, but as has been the case all season, the Cubs will also need ot rely on internal options.

One of those options could be former Chicago White Sox All-Star closer Liam Hendriks. When the Cubs originally signed Hendriks to a minor-league deal earlier this season, it was far from a sure thing that he would help the team. It's been a few years since Hendriks was the All-Star version of himself, and he's also battled injuries.

The 37-year-old spent several weeks in Arizona, working in the Cubs' pitch lab. He's since made his way to the Iowa Cubs, and it seems like the next step should be joining the big-league club. Hendriks has tossed four scoreless innings with the I-Cubs, striking out five of the 14 hitters he faced.

Liam Hendriks should be next through the Cubs' bullpen revolving door

Even as the Cubs have found some dependable options in the Cubs' bullpen, it remains a revolving door. It would seem that Gavin Hollowell and Drew Pomeranz are too clear candidates to be shipped out as soon as the All-Star break is over.

With Daniel Palencia still a few weeks away from returning and Hoby Milner's return likely arriving in August, there aren't many options for the Cubs to turn to. It feels like Hendriks is among the next group of arms to be an option for the Cubs after the All-Star break.

Now, to be clear, chances are the Hendriks' experiment won't work. It's the nature of these type of moves. They're destined to fail until it's proven the Cubs found a diamond in the rough. Not to mention, Hendriks has an ERA of 6.27 since the start of the 2023 season, and his velocity has dipped considerably.

If nothing else, the hope the Cubs should have for Hendriks is that he can bridge the gap until the trade deadline. Recent reports have confirmed the Cubs plan to be in the market for a closer, and a addition would move everyone down a slot in the team's bullpen. If that is the outcome for the Cubs after the deadline, that would certainly be close to a best-case scenario.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow