Cubs Reportedly Avoid Arbitration With Key Pitcher
By James Neveau ••
The Chicago Cubs are busy trying to lock up all of their arbitration-eligible players, and they reportedly inked a contract with one of their most important pitchers on Friday.
According to multiple reports, the Cubs agreed to terms on a one-year, $4.175 million deal with pitcher Kyle Hendricks to avoid salary arbitration.
Hendricks, who was a finalist for the 2016 Cy Young Award and picked up the series-clinching win in Game 6 of the NLCS that season, had a 3.03 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 24 starts for the Cubs during an injury-shortened 2017 campaign.
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Round numbers are always great, and Bryant has exactly 100 career home runs when you combine regular season and postseason dingers.
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It's okay, Anthony: Kris Bryant narrowly edged out his "Bryzzo" compatriot in 2017 jersey sales, finishing in second place in all of baseball.
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Kris Bryant made history when he signed his 2017 contract, the richest ever given to a non-arbitration eligible player before White Sox star Tim Anderson signed a six year deal a few weeks later.
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Did you know that Kris knows all the words to the "Moana" AND "Frozen" soundtracks? According to his wife Jessica, he does!
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Bryant is willing to take a hit to get a hit: he's the first Cub ever to hit two home runs AND be hit by two pitches in the same game.
Bryant is the youngest player in Cubs history to hit three home runs in a single game, beating the legendary Ernie Banks by 10 DAYS!
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Bryant is also an accomplished thespian, appearing in an episode of “Chicago Fire.”
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Four players in MLB history have won Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in back-to-back seasons. Bryant is one of them.
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Kris Bryant is so good that other teams set off fireworks to celebrate his home runs. Yes. Really.
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11 players in MLB history have appeared in 150 or more games in each of their first three seasons. Bryant made that list in 2017.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 17: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs throws to first base in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Kris Bryant is unfailingly polite: he and his wife Jessica sent thank you notes to fans who sent them wedding gifts!
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His politeness doesn’t always extend to the field, as he was ejected this year for the first time ever.
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Bryant is one of two players in Cubs history to hit 39 or more home runs at the age of 24 or younger, joining Ernie Banks (44 in 1955)
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His 13.6 WAR in his first two MLB seasons was the highest in baseball history
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Bryant had five extra base hits in a single game, making him the first Cubs player to hit that mark since George Gore….in 1885!
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Bryant is not only number one in the hearts of Cubs fans (and skipper Joe Maddon), but he also was the number 1 card in Topps' 2017 set.
According to multiple reports, the Cubs also agreed to a one-year contract with infielder Tommy La Stella, which will pay him $950,000. La Stella hit .288 with five home runs and 22 RBI in 151 plate appearances for the Cubs last season, and will likely be a key back-up and left-handed bat in the team’s 2018 lineup.
Even with the signings, the Cubs still have a few very important players left to sign. Third baseman Kris Bryant is eligible for arbitration for the first time, as is shortstop Addison Russell. Relief pitcher Justin Grimm also is yet to sign a new deal with the Cubs, with teams and players set to exchange arbitration numbers on Friday.
