Cubs Reportedly Avoid Arbitration With Key Pitcher

Hendricks agreed to a one-year, $4.125 million contract, while Wilson will receive a $4.25 million deal. Earlier Friday, the Cubs settled with reliever Justin Wilson ($4.25 million), right-hander Kyle Hendricks ($4.125 million) and infielder Tommy La Stella ($950,000).

Hendricks is one of the top starters in the National League and is still grossly underpaid to his peers at four million. Third baseman is eligible for arbitration for the first time, as is shortstop Addison Russell.

In 2017, Hendricks was 7-5 with 3.03 ERA with 123 strikeouts and 1.19 WHIP.

Hendricks just turned 28 this week and emerged as the organization's choice to pitch Game 1 of the postseason past year against the Dodgers in the NLDS. Notching 316 innings of work in all, he now owns a 3.30 career ERA alongside 338 strikeouts, 133 walks, 14 saves, 93 holds, 16 blown saves and a 22-14 record.

The agreements were reached hours before teams and arbitration eligible players face a noon deadline to reach an agreement or exchange salary figures that could possibly lead to a hearing next month.

MLBTR predicts Grimm will get $2.4 million. The Cubs have never gone to arbitration with a player in the Theo Epstein-Jed Hoyer era.