CHICAGO — A shocking news is spreading in the heart of the Windy City: the legend who has been with the Cubs for more than a decade, Kyle Hendricks, is said to have entered the final stages of negotiations to become a new shareholder of the team – an extremely surprising move that suggests “The Professor” may not stop at refusing to return to the field.
According to multiple anonymous inside sources, Hendricks – who signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels before declaring his “great career storm” could end after the 2025 season – holds up to 15–20% of the Cubs’ minority stake – equivalent to about $30–50 million in market share. This is a “shocking” number compared to the total value of the team’s acquisition of more than $5.5 billion just a few years ago.
“If this happens, it will not just be a return, but a new ‘rebuild’ – from the ballpark to the steering table,” a source close to Hendricks told MLB media early today.
Even at the age of 36, Hendricks is still one of the names most closely associated with the Cubs’ legacy. He once instilled fear in famous pitchers, had a glorious 2016 season with the lowest ERA in MLB (2.13) and was the inspiration that helped the Cubs end a 108-year drought without a World Series championship.
So, the return isn’t just about Hendricks wearing a Cubs jersey again – it’s about the “dead” having a say in the team’s long-term development strategy. A source close to the team shared:
“Kyle wants to build an empire, not just help rebuild the roster. He may decide from the ‘big guys’ buying players like Shohei Ohtani or Francisco Lindor to the plan to rebuild the locker room.”
Hendricks, who started with the Cubs in 2014 and peaked in 2016, has had a challenging few seasons. In 2024, he suffered a career-worst ERA of 5.92 and was sent to the bullpen late in the season. But deeper numbers – 98% for hard hit limit and 86% for hard hit suppression – show that Hendricks has retained his identity: as a “performance over power” pitcher.
Hendricks is now considering retiring after the 2025 season with the Angels, where he has reached the 100-game winning streak and made a resounding impact in the locker room.
The news has shaken MLB because Hendricks is the first player from the 2016 team to return to hold a controlling stake. It not only marks a “new era” for the Cubs but also sets a rare precedent: a former player as a strategic shareholder.
With the plan to become a shareholder, the Cubs will not only offer Hendricks more equity, but also restart the fan equity program – a project that could add 15–20% to the team’s brand value in the future.
Bottom line: if this information is confirmed, life behind the ballpark for Kyle Hendricks will be another “Home Run” – not on the mound, but in the Cubs’ headquarters office. Once called “The Professor” for his smart pitching, the Cubs may now call him “The Second Professor” – someone who brings knowledge from the field… to the strategy table.
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