Kyle Hendricks starts a new chapter as he joins the Los Angeles Angels.
Veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who spent the majority of his career with the Chicago Cubs, officially signed with the Los Angeles Angels this week, marking a significant change in his career. Hendricks inked a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Angels on Thursday.
While Hendricks has a deep connection to Chicago, he acknowledged the reality of his situation. Recognizing that his recent struggles, including a tough start to the 2024 season, had impacted his free-agent prospects, he understood the limitations he faced at 34 years old.
“I would have loved to stay a Cub my entire career, if that was possible,” said Hendricks. “But you have to perform, and it just didn’t work out for me. The Cubs are in a position right now where they are focused on winning with the team they’ve built, and I’m happy for them.”
What Hendricks didn’t anticipate was how quickly the Angels would pursue him. Just a short distance from his hometown, the Angels provided a perfect opportunity for him to continue his career. However, accepting their offer also meant leaving behind his significant legacy with the Cubs.
Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago Cubs parting ways
“I’m just grateful to have another chance to play baseball,” Hendricks said. “I love pitching and playing the game, and I’m really excited to join the Angels. They have a lot of talented, young players, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them and talking baseball, especially with the young pitchers.”
Hendricks spent his entire Major League career with the Cubs, posting a 97-81 record and a 3.68 ERA across 270 starts and six relief appearances over 11 seasons. The 34-year-old was the last remaining player from the Cubs’ iconic 2016 World Series team, which ended a 108-year championship drought.
The Angels cleared a spot on their 40-man roster by designating right-hander Ryan Miller for assignment to make room for Hendricks.
An All-Star in 2016, Hendricks finished that season with a remarkable 16-8 record and a league-leading 2.13 ERA. He also played a pivotal role in the Cubs’ World Series win, pitching 4⅓ scoreless innings in Game 3 and 4⅔ innings in the dramatic Game 7 victory over Cleveland.
Hendricks time with the Cubs
In his final season under a five-year, $70 million contract with the Cubs, Hendricks struggled, going 4-12 with a 6.27 ERA in 24 starts. However, he showed promise as a reliever, posting a 3.14 ERA over five appearances in the middle of the season.
In his final appearance with the Cubs on September 28, Hendricks threw 7⅓ innings of two-hit ball at Wrigley Field, receiving a warm standing ovation from the crowd. He then returned to the dugout to acknowledge the fans’ appreciation.
Although Hendricks may never have earned another All-Star selection or achieved a Hall of Fame career, his legacy will be defined by his consistency and his role in the Cubs’ transformation from perennial underachievers to World Series champions. As the last remaining member of the 2016 title-winning team, he finished third in the National League Cy Young voting that year.
