The Los Angeles Angels have made another assertive move this offseason, bolstering their rotation with veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks on a one-year, $2.5 million deal. This decision comes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen both their pitching and batting lineups, following acquisitions of outfielder Jorge Soler, infielder Scott Kingery, and first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda. Hendricks, an Orange County native from Mission Viejo, is returning home after 11 years with the Chicago Cubs, where he was instrumental in their 2016 World Series victory.
What Kyle Hendricks Brings to the Angels
Hendricks, now 34, has a career 3.68 ERA over 276 games (270 starts). His 2024 season with the Cubs saw some struggles, ending with a 5.92 ERA across 130 2/3 innings, 87 strikeouts, and 43 walks. However, his performance in 2023 was much more promising, as he recorded a 3.74 ERA with 93 strikeouts, demonstrating his potential to still deliver quality innings. Known for his precision and pitch deception rather than high velocity, Hendricks relies on finesse to outsmart hitters—he posted the lowest average fastball velocity among pitchers who threw at least 2,000 pitches last season, at 87.7 mph. This approach aligns well with that of Tyler Anderson, a fellow finesse pitcher who found success with the Angels in 2024, earning an All-Star nod with a 3.81 ERA in 31 starts.
Building a Solid Rotation Around Hendricks
The Angels’ rotation for 2025 now features Hendricks, Anderson, and several promising internal options like José Soriano, Jack Kochanowicz, and Reid Detmers. However, the team faces some obstacles—Patrick Sandoval is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and Griffin Canning was recently traded to the Braves in a deal that brought in outfielder Soler. As a result, the Angels may still look to add another dependable arm to further stabilize their rotation.
Angels’ Infield Still a Focus
Beyond pitching, the Angels are also likely to pursue additional infield support. Though they’ve already made several moves, including the trade for Scott Kingery and waiver claim of Ryan Noda, securing depth on the infield remains a key objective for the team this offseason.
With Hendricks returning to his Southern California roots, fans are eager to see how his veteran presence and unique pitching style will impact the team’s 2025 campaign.
