With Kyle Tucker leading the charge, the Chicago Cubs have the offensive talent and depth to make a strong postseason run this year. Not many teams can match their lineup. However, their pitching rotation has been weakened by several injuries, so the Cubs may seek a trade to strengthen their pitching staff.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently proposed that the Cubs could potentially bring back veteran pitcher Kyle Hendricks in a major trade this season. After the Cubs let Hendricks leave in free agency, he signed with the Los Angeles Angels. Miller noted that the Cubs’ pitching staff, which was already in a questionable state, took a hit with the recent news of Justin Steele being placed on the IL with elbow tendinitis. The Cubs were also dealing with Javier Assad on the IL (oblique), leaving them to rely on Ben Brown in the rotation despite his early struggles.
In response to Steele’s injury, the Cubs called up Ethan Roberts to help manage what is expected to be a series of bullpen games for the foreseeable future. Potential trade targets to address their pitching depth include Nick Martinez, Cal Quantrill, Martín Pérez, and Kyle Hendricks. However, the idea of bringing Hendricks back makes little sense, as the Cubs parted ways with him at the end of last season after he struggled in their rotation. He was subsequently signed by the Angels to assist in their postseason push.
If Hendricks performs well for the Angels, Los Angeles is unlikely to entertain trade offers. Conversely, if he struggles, the Cubs would probably have no interest in bringing him back. In short, the chances of this trade happening are virtually nonexistent.
The likelihood of this trade actually happening is extremely slim.
