MESA, Ariz. _ Kyle Hendricks signed what he hopes is the first of many contracts the Cubs will finalize with their core players.
The 29-year-old starting pitcher signed a four-year extension on Tuesday with a team option for 2024.
"We'd love to keep (the core) intact as long as we can," President Theo Epstein said after announcing the contract, which was finalized after Hendricks passed a physical examination.
Hendricks, who has a 52-33 record and 3.07 ERA in five seasons, was later scratched from his start against the Red Sox after spending three hours in an MRI tube that was part of his physical examination.
Hendricks is under contract for $7.41 million in 2019. Under the new deal, he will earn $55.6 million. Hendricks will receive salaries of $12 million in 2020 and $14 million in 2021-23. The team option for 2024 is $16 million with a $1.5 million buyout.
Also, there are incentive clauses based on placement in Cy Young balloting from 2020 through 2023.
"I love everything about being a Chicago Cub," Hendricks said. "I love everything about the city and the fans and especially about my teammates in this clubhouse. This is where my focus is at.
"As much as I will revel and be excited about this, our focus 100 percent is on Thursday and this season. That's what I told the guys in here, and I want to be here as long as I can. And hopefully this starts a trend where this group can stay together, in large part. Just for me individually I'm so l blessed to get this amount to play a game I just love growing up as a kid."
Negotiations started after the 2017 season, but stopped briefly twice before progressing this spring.
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