When Cubs fans packed into the Wrigley Field stands in late September to give right-hander Kyle Hendricks a storybook sendoff, he was expected to land with another team in free agency. That suspicion became reality Wednesday, when he signed a one-year deal with the Angels for $2.5 million, according to multiple reports.
Jumping on an early offer, the California native lands with a team that will be relying on young pitching, where his leadership could provide value even beyond his own performance. In an 11-year major-league career, Hendricks has only pitched for the Cubs.
“I hope that there’s just an opportunity with someone,” Hendricks said at the end of the season. “Whoever it may be, just excited to take full advantage of it. You never know, things could come full circle. You could always bounce around different teams and come back. The door is never closed.”