Kyle Hendricks' decision to spurn the Cubs post-retirement isn't all that surprising

Someday, Kyle Hendricks will be added to the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame. Over 11 seasons on the North Side, the soft-tossing right-hander cemented a legacy that will stand the test of time. An ERA title winner and the man who started the pennant-clinching game in 2016 NLCS and took the ball in a winner-take-all Game 7 in the Fall Classic.

With such a strong relationship and history with the organization, it downright shocked some Cubs fans when it was announced that Hendricks would be returning to baseball as a special assistant focused on pitching development... in the Detroit Tigers organization.

In what is reportedly just the first step of a potential front office career, Hendricks reunites with several members of the 2016 brain trust, including Tigers president of baseball ops Scott Harris, GM Jeff Greenburg and VP of baseball strategy Alex Smith. That familiarity is key - and starting this journey outside of Chicago gives him a chance to create a new reputation as a thought leader in the Detroit front office.

There's no bad blood between Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago Cubs

Harris spoke with Hendricks about the possibility of joining him in the Motor City during this winter's 10-year reunion for members of the 2016 team, culminating in this move.

As far as the Cubs are concerned, Jed Hoyer reiterated his good relationship with Hendricks - and there's no reason to believe any sort of relationship issue kept Hendricks from coming back to Chicago.

“I talked to Kyle, and we have a great relationship," Hoyer told 670 The Score. "We talked about his decision to go there before he did it. So, like I said the Cubs and Kyle have a great relationship. I’ll let him explain why, and what his role is and how he is going about it. But certainly there is nothing negative there. I’ve said it a million times, I can’t imagine a better and easier teammate for ten years, so everything is great with Kyle.”

In today's world, people always seem to make something out of nothing. So if you're panicked over Hendricks joining another organization, don't be. Who knows? Maybe he returns to Wrigley Field in an executive capacity someday. But for now, he's exploring a potential future and doing so alongside people he's known for a decade there to mentor him.

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