8 Cubs players who will be gone from the 40-man roster this winter

3 impending free agents who seem unlikely to re-sign with the Cubs

This weekend could be Kyle Hendricks' swan song with the Chicago Cubs. After more than a decade on the North Side, during which he established himself as one of the best starting pitchers in franchise history, the two sides seem destined to go their separate ways this winter.

Hendricks' place in franchise lore is cemented and a disastrous 2024 season won't change that. But with the team in the hunt for another starter this winter and guys like Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks and Cade Horton all factoring into the picture heading into next year, there's no room for a guy whose skills have clearly diminished significantly.

Drew Smyly has been a valuable piece for the Cubs, but it seems like Wicks could slot into the role he's filled the last couple years. The veteran left-hander was lights-out in the early going this year, but has a 5.09 ERA since the All-Star Break and opponents have a 1.200 OPS against him in September. His contract contains a $10 million option with a $2.5 million buyout for 2025 - this is a no-brainer; buy him out and move on.

Jorge Lopez' season was ended with a recurring groin injury, but he'll head into the open market this winter after re-establishing himself as a shutdown reliever in Chicago. In 24 appearances, the right-hander has worked to a 2.03 ERA, turning in results he hasn't produced since his All-Star campaign with the Orioles in 2022.

There's a chance he could find his way back to the Cubs in free agency, but at least at the onset of the offseason, he's definitely going to see what he can get on the open market on the heels of this bounceback campaign.