Kyle Hendricks Free Agency Update: Angels close in on reported 1-year deal with former ERA-title winner

The Los Angeles Angels have added veteran starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks as they continue their roster retooling. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the pitcher and the Angels agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal.

After 11 seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Hendricks will now join the second franchise of his MLB career.

Both the Los Angeles Angels and Kyle Hendricks are coming off disappointing 2024 campaigns and will be looking to bounce back this upcoming season. Over 130.2 innings last year, he posted a 4-12 record with a career-worst 5.92 ERA, a 1.454 WHIP and 87 strikeouts.

Although Hendricks was disappointing in his final year with the Cubs, he has had a long track record of success in MLB. A World Series champion and former ERA-title winner, he is worthy of a flier for a rebuilding team such as the Angels. At only $3 million, he is a low-risk signing for a team looking to improve on a poor 2024 showing.

Hendricks should find himself with a rotation spot to open the 2025 season given the Angels' need for pitching. The free-agent signing also comes only several days after the team traded Griffin Canning to the Atlanta Braves, so this makes Hendricks' bid for a rotation spot even more attainable.

The Angels finished in the bottom half of nearly every pitching category last season, so it unsurprising to see them make a move to bolster their rotation. If Hendricks can bounce back near his career norms, he could prove to be a bargain for the Angels.

Kyle Hendricks is the latest move in an already busy offseason for the Los Angeles Angels

A number of clubs are expected to rather active this offseason, however, no one saw the Angels being a major player already. The Kyle Hendricks signing is just the latest in a series of moves made by the front office as they look to retool the roster heading into 2025.

As mentioned earlier, the Angels sent Griffin Canning to the Atlanta Braves. In exchange for the pitcher, Los Angeles received veteran slugger Jorge Soler, who should provide some additional pop to a struggling Angels lineup.

While he may be inconsistent at times, Soler is a proven source of home runs, which could only help an Angels squad that failed to produce much last season.

The Angels also claimed former Oakland Athletics first baseman Ryan Noda off of waivers, as well as trading for Scott Kingery from the Philadelphia Phillies.

While both may need to compete for a roster spots, they are new faces for manager Ron Washington to work with. Given the nature of their offseason already, it wouldn't be surprising to see a flurry of moves continue for the Angels.