3 players Cubs should consider trading instead of their ‘Core 4’

As the Cubs entered into their offseason payroll teardown, Hendricks was a possible trade chip. Unlike many of his notable teammates, he has years left on his contract ($14 million per year through 2023, with an option for 2024).

Hendricks posted an ERA north of 6.00 during spring training. In his first five starts of the season he has gone more than four innings just twice, with seven runs allowed in two of his last three outings (nine home runs allowed over his last three starts).

Since he’s not a high-velocity, big whiff rate/strikeout pitcher, Hendricks’ margin for error is naturally lower. Statcast data shows his curveball has been worse than usual so far this season, and notably so in some metrics. Overall, his pitch location hasn’t been good.

In time, Hendricks should correct back toward his larger sample mean (3.00 ERA from 2016-2020). If he can do it, as it’s worth noting his worst ERA for a month in his career has come in March/April (4.78), the Cubs have a tradeable asset with years of reasonable team control left.

After signing in July of 2019, Kimbrel’s Cubs’ tenure started badly (6.53 ERA over 23 appearances that season). The shortened 2020 campaign didn’t start any better, with seven runs allowed over his first four outings. But after suggesting he had found the reason for his struggles, Kimbrel posted a 1.42 ERA with 26 strikeouts and seven walks over his last 14 appearances (12.2 innings) last season.

Over his first nine appearances (10 innings) this season, Kimbrel has a Blutarsky-esque 0.00 ERA with 15 strikeouts, just one hit allowed, six walks and four saves.

Kimbrel is making $16 million this year, the final fully guaranteed year of his contract with a $16 million vesting/club option ($1 million buyout that could increase based on games finished this year) for 2022.

As a practical matter, Kimbrel is on an expiring contract. If he continues to pitch like something close to the vintage version of himself, contending teams looking to fortify a bullpen will come calling. Jed Hoyer should easily entertain those conversations.