3 Cubs players who aren't as safe as they think with the trade deadline approaching

2: Trading Kyle Hendricks might be more feasible than you think

When sorting out who should make this list, Kyle Hendricks wasn't a name that came to mind for me. But given his immense postseason track record and a vastly improved 3.46 ERA since June 1, it might not be impossible like it was back in May.

The veteran right-hander has played a key role for the Cubs as the team weathers injuries to two key pitchers in Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks. He's slotted back into the rotation and aside from a June 30 clunker on the road in Milwaukee, has been vintage Hendricks, allowing three or fewer earned runs in each of his last six starts.

This year, Hendricks attained full 10-and-5 rights, meaning he can now veto any trade. After a decade in Chicago, one wonders if he'd be open to being moved or if he'd prefer to at least finish out the 2024 season campaign with the Cubs.

If he is open to at least entertaining the idea, though, there are a lot of teams out there looking for rotation depth and few options that can match his track record, despite the recent struggles. World Series champion. MLB ERA title. Proven October presence. He's still relatively young and a recent return to form could be just enough to pique the interest of executives around the league.

(And let's not forget, the White Sox managed to trade Lance Lynn last year, despite a 6.47 ERA and leading the league in home runs allowed, so never say never).