The Cubs are selling and the Mets should think about buying Kyle Hendricks
Excuse me while I kiss the sky and dream of a potential trade between the Mets and Chicago Cubs with Kyle Hendricks as the headliner. Kris Bryant has been the name discussed most with the Cubs. The recent deGrom injury could have the two clubs pivoting to other deals. Is Hendricks available? If clearing salary is on the front office agenda, one of the consistently best pitchers in the National League since 2014 could be the answer.
Hendricks is absolutely a suitable replacement for deGrom. A contender this year for the most wins in the league (but who cares about those from a starting pitcher?), he has done it even with even while contending for the league’s most hits and home runs allowed. You might think this would put his 2021 numbers at a disappointing level. Somehow, he has managed to maintain a 3.65 ERA through 19 starts.
A far different pitcher from deGrom, Hendricks resembles Marcus Stroman much more. He pitches to contact and won’t blow anyone away with strikeout numbers. Somehow, he has been effective in his nearly 200 MLB starts with this strategy. While not deGrom-esque, his lifetime 3.17 ERA is remarkable.
In order to pick up Hendricks from the Cubs, I suspect the Mets would need to drain a bit of talent from their farm system. He is signed for several more seasons to a rather friendly contract. Only $14 million over the next two seasons with a possible $16 million headed his way in 2024, Hendricks will absolutely fill in for deGrom and keep the Mets competitive.