Chicago Cubs' Franchise Icon Could Play Last Season With Club in 2024

It might be the last season with the organization for one of the Chicago Cubs' franchise icons.

Nobody will ever forget the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs teams that snapped the 108-year drought that almost seemed impossible to break.

Unluckiness, misfortune, and borderline ominous things hanging over the franchise was put to rest by that Cubs team.

Eight years later, only one player from the championship group is still standing.

Kyle Hendricks continues to be a staple for the organization.

He was acquired at the trade deadline in 2012 as the Texas Rangers shipped out the right-hander and infielder Christian Villanueva in exchange for Ryan Dempster.

Hendricks made his Major League debut in 2014 and became an important part of their starting rotation, including during the championship season when he had the lowest ERA among starters in baseball (2.13), and was on the mound for the clinching NLCS game and Game 7 of the World Series.

All 10 of his years in the MLB have come in Chicago.

The front office decided to have the 34-year-old return for his 11th when they picked up his $16.5 million club option this offseason.

However, 2024 could be the last time he's in a Cubs uniform as Hendricks confirmed there have been no extension talks.

He had a bounce back year in 2023 when he posted an ERA of 3.74 with an ERA+ of 120 over 24 starts and 137 innings pitched, but prior to that, he had two-straight seasons with an ERA approaching 5.00.

Injuries have started to plague the right-hander, making it difficult to rely on him.

Hendricks says that he's healthy and has been able to have a normal offseason, something that should help his production in 2024.

As the longest-tenured player is heading into what might be his last season in Chicago, he's still thankful for the opportunity to return and play for this franchise.

"I can't thank all of them enough for bringing me back and giving me an opportunity to play for the Cubs. There's obviously nowhere I'd rather be. It's the most special place in the world," he told Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.

Hendricks also said he's not focused on his future and is focusing on the goal of the Cubs getting back into the postseason.

If he performs like he did last year, then he could be a major part of that.