Mets: Three Cubs players worth trading for this offseason

With the Mets looking to fortify their rotation, Kyle Hendricks would be a low cost addition

With Marcus Stroman accepting his qualifying offer, the Mets are looking to sure up their rotation and Kyle Hendricks would be a great piece to have heading into 2021. Hendricks is under contract for the next four years and will be making $14M annually until 2024, where his contract will go up to $16M before becoming a free agent.

Since his sophomore year in 2015, when he threw his first full season (180 IP), Hendricks has compiled a 3.17 ERA and a WHIP of 1.107, which is good for 10th in the National League over that time. In an era of increased velocity across the sport, the crafty right-hander averages just 87 MPH on his fastball. However, he makes up for the lack of velocity with his command as he’s been in the top 12 in the National League in walk rate since entering the league.

Hendricks would be a good addition to the rotation, especially if the Mets are planning on making moves this offseason that will sure up their defense. While Hendricks is a control-specialist, he doesn’t strikeout batters at a very high rate. In fact, Hendricks’s 7.78 K/9 ranks 97th in the NL since 2015. A beneficiary of good defense behind him, Hendricks’s style of pitching to contact could spell trouble for the Mets with the current defensive construction, but with changes on the horizon that are sure to improve their efficiency in the field, it’s worth considering.

The obvious question becomes, what could it cost to acquire Hendricks? The four remaining years of team control and reasonable salary would certainly drive up the price in talent. Given the already thinned farm system, it wouldn’t make sense to overpay in talent for Hendricks, but if the Mets don’t like their options in free agency, they could turn to the trade market and try to land the righty.