The Cubs have agreed to a minor-league deal with righty Jim Henderson, according to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation (Twitter links). He’ll join a fairly well-stocked pen mix in Cubs’ camp this spring, where he’ll presumably have a chance to battle for a job. If things don’t go as hoped, Henderson will have two opt-out opportunities, first on March 29th and later on June 1st, Cotillo adds on Twitter.
Henderson, 34, had a solid bounceback season in 2016 with the Mets, who signed him to a minor-league deal last offseason. Once the Brewers’ closer, he had succumbed to shoulder issues in 2014 and failed to crack the majors in the following season.
Over the course of the 2016 campaign, Henderson provided New York with 35 innings of 4.11 ERA ball and compiled 10.3 K/9 against 3.6 BB/9. Despite showing that he could still generate some strikeouts, averaging better than 93 mph on his fastball, and coming with three years of control available via arbitration, Henderson was outrighted after the season.
Of course, it wasn’t all roses. Henderson missed a good bit of time with a biceps issue and struggled to keep opposing hitters in the yard — allowing 1.8 dingers per nine innings pitched, well above the league average. Though Henderson coughed up homers on just 13.2% of the flies put in play against against him last year, right near the league-average mark, he was also among the most flyball-prone hurlers in baseball. And despite his healthy K tallies, Henderson’s swinging-strike rate of 9.9% was nowhere near his prior levels.
I really like this pick up, have always been a fan of Henderson, even when he was in Milwaukee
I liked Henderson, but his bounce back numbers are deceiving. He started out red hot for the Mets and then fell off considerably down the stretch. Seems like a good guy and I wish him the best, but I wouldn’t expect much from him.
I follow baseball pretty closely, but I have to admit I’ve never heard of this guy.
Look him up, had an ok bounce back season last year and before that was good relief option for Milwaukee. Last year he ran into some issues trying to pitch back to back but should be well over that, better option than joe smith minus the arm angle.
Is baseball the toughest sport to win back to back? I’m going to say no.
MLB and and NFL are equally tough to repeat championships. It hasn’t happened in 16 years in the MLB.
NHL and i don’t even know if it’s close.
Another player bound to help them win multiple championships! Well done, Theo!
I like the Cubs in all but don’t become insufferable like the other big market fans after a taste at winning.
Poe’s law, I’m being facetious. 🙂
Stop whining.
aww.. poor Sox fan
Don’t feel bad for W/Sox who robbed The Nat’s and really should keep Q he young enough to play as the Ace when the kids are ready. A Abeau is playing in the AL you need a RBI man. same for Robertson his age will fit in nicely . Next year WhiteSox
He started great, but Terry didn’t handle him right. two high pitch counts back to back was his downfall.
I do agree- but if you’re not capable of that work load at least once then I’m not sure how serviceable of a major league arm you can be.
Same thing happened with Jack Leathersich, at Mets’ AAA team as I recall. That was on Wally.
Jim Henderson did not have a good year for the Mets. He was fine at the very beginning, but he quickly went south. No stamina. He’s barely a major league pitcher.