The Cubs have another reunion in the works, agreeing to a minor league contract and Spring Training invite with free-agent righty Pedro Strop, as first reported by Mike Rodriguez (Twitter link). Strop, a client QC Sports, will earn $800K if he makes the big league club.
Strop, acquired alongside Jake Arrieta in one of the more lopsided deals in recent memory, was with the Cubs from 2013-19 before an extremely brief, 2 1/3-inning stint with the Reds in 2020. He and Arrieta, who reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs last week, could now both be back at Wrigley Field for the 2021 campaign.
A groin injury limited Strop’s time with the Reds in 2020, but his results even when on the mound weren’t particularly encouraging. It was a small sample, of course, but Strop walked six of the 15 batters he faced and also threw a wild pitch, indicating that his control wasn’t anywhere near its usual levels. It’s likely that the groin injury contributed to those struggles, but the Reds didn’t give him much of a chance to right the ship; Strop was designated for assignment immediately upon coming off the IL. He returned to the Cubs on a minor league deal but didn’t get back to the Majors.
Now healthy, the 35-year-old Strop should have a decent chance of making the team. The Cubs’ bullpen is largely unsettled behind closer Craig Kimbrel — and even he has yet to ever truly find consistency in Chicago. The Cubs reportedly agreed to a deal with Brandon Workman earlier this morning, and they’ve also signed lefty Andrew Chafin to a big league deal. Beyond that, they’ll rely on a host of journeymen and/or prospects with limited MLB track records. Rowan Wick, Dan Winkler, Duane Underwood Jr., Jason Adam and Brad Wieck are among the team’s other options in the ’pen.
Certainly, given his track record, Strop could have an inside track on a bullpen spot. The righty’s original seven-year stint with the Cubs, after all, was an undeniable success. He racked up 373 innings out of the Chicago bullpen, pitching to a 2.90 ERA with 28 saves, 110 holds, a 28.1 percent strikeout rate and a 9.7 percent walk rate. He added in 17 innings of 2.12 ERA ball in the postseason, including a pair of scoreless frames in the 2016 World Series.
There’s surely some sentimental value in the signing for Cubs fans, but it’s hard to overlook the fact that the team is putting together a patchwork bullpen for the third straight offseason. The combined $3.75MM the Cubs have spent on Workman and Chafin is the only guaranteed money invested in the bullpen this winter, and the club hasn’t succeeded in developing a reliable in-house reliever in years. To their credit, the organization has still posted middle-of-the-pack results in terms of bullpen ERA despite the lack of homegrown arms or notable additions, but it’s also tough to cobble together an effective relief corps in this manner each offseason.
*obligatory “dumpster diving Hoyer” comment*
He and 29 other teams handing minor league deals to pitchers.
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Yes. I was your first upvote. Knew what you were getting at.
I hope part of the contract states he has to adjust his hat .
Cubs really embarrassing themselves.
How are they embarrassing themselves by signing a guy to a minor league deal with an invite? If he sucks in the spring, then he’s gone and this didn’t matter. If he doesn’t, then they got a veteran relief pitcher for 800K. The amount of complete idiots on these boards nowadays is crazy.
I mean the whole thing and not just this Strop signing. Arrieta Workman and the attitude coming from the whole organization. Bryant announcing he isn’t having fun and much more. It’s embarrassing. And I would never tell you that your opinion on any subject was causing you to be a complete idiot.
I wouldn’t call you an idiot and I don’t completely disagree with you about the way the organization is being handled, but I don’t think the moves have been that bad (given the cards Hoyer was dealt)… But Kris Bryant whining about not having fun… Well, I know about every single middle and lower class person that wouldn’t mind having as bad a time Kris Bryant is having for the millions of dollars he’s making.
If he’s not having fun, then he should retire instead of announcing it to the world.. That’s a slap in the face for people that work 8 to 5 and people in the army and first responders that actually put their lives at risk for a fraction of what Bryant is making to play a game.
I guess Hoyer woke up in a dumpster this morning.
I wouldn’t say that. Strop could actually be useful if he’s healthy and comes on the cheap. The dumpster dive sign today by Hoyer cost the Cubs money.. Giving the finished Arieta 6m.. What a coup by that clam Boras.. Wonder how high he had to get Hoyer to con him into that deal?
Strop is a 2 seam pitcher that lived low in the zone. The upper cut killed him. Pitchers adjusted by going higher and he kept low.
CFS77- nice post
Strop it, Strop it…..
Strop! Strop!
Man the Brewers and Cubs competing over who can sign the most junk this winter….
Oh brother signed the crooked cap guy. That’s always a disgusting site.
Old Man Yells at Cloud
That damn Ken Griffey Jr has no respect for the game
I’m not sure which makes my grumpy old man more triggered… crooked hats or incorrect homophone usage.
I guess bringing back the 2016 champion team is the new strategy. (this is a joke)
I am a cubs fan, what is happening for real though?
He finished the year last year at the alternate site. Strop is a Cubs legend and he prolly won’t make the team, our bp is going to surprise people but mainly 3 simple points on this.
1. He’s a cubs legend great guy
2. He was getting minor lg contract on a flyer from someone, why not let it be the team he won a ring with and finished last season in the org.
3. I love Pedro
Cubs legend? Come on man… he was a nice bullpen guy during a stretch of successful Cubs teams, but definitely not a legend.
He IS a valuable add for this team though. Could carve his way into a quality 7th inning guy.
Calling him a “nice bullpen guy” is a massive understatement. He holds the Cubs record for holds and had a 2.61 ERA from 2014-2018 and an overall ERA of 2.90 in 7 years with the Cubs. I don’t know if legend is the right word or not, but he was 100% an elite bullpen arm for them every year except for his final season.
its a minor league deal. Either it works out or we forget this transaction even happened.
Holy Spaceballs! I just had a moment of complete clarity. How do you make up for lost revenue? Merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the team is made. 2016 Cubs-the T-shirt, 2016 Cubs-the Coloring Book, 2016 Cubs-the Lunch box, 2016 Cubs-the Breakfast Cereal, 2016 Cubs-the Flame Thrower…
I loved Strop in terms of his style. He always was hyped when he got out of a big moment and I liked his motion
I’m sure they’re in touch with Hector Rondon’s agent too…
Too late, already signed with Phillies.
As a Phillies fan, I see nothing wrong with Hector Rondon so I don’t quite understand why you used that like a negative.
I don’t think it’s a bad signing. Solid minor league depth. Just saying that he’s already signed with the Phils.
Sorry, didn’t mean to reply to you @mlb1225 I was trying to infer @Lloyd made those comments in a way, not you. My bad for not clarifying.
Robson was signed, but Antonio Alfonseca is on speed dial.
the six fingered man? anigo Montoya is looking for that guy
Senor Matchlight Mel Rojas is available
Absolutely nothing wrong with this. Don’t feed the trolls.
More like Pedro Strapped for cash, right?
The Cubs that is. They’re strapped for cash.
Not really, though. Ricketts just sucks.
Them and 28 other teams not spending as much. Do some research. Try to understand what is going on. Maybe you are the one that sucks.
I don’t suck. YOU suck. YOU are the one who sucks. You are the suckiest suck who’s ever sucked.
More your pun sucked. I’m sure you’re great. If it’s a 1 or a 2 don’t go with it. Have some standards. I get you aren’t George Carlin, but still you can get to mediocre.
Pedro Strapped is a GREAT pun. It’s both hilarious wordplay AND a keen insight into the financial position the Cubs claim they are facing. It works on MULTIPLE levels. If you don’t get it, MAN, that’s on YOU. Maybe I’m just operating on a level that you all can’t even HANDLE! Like, a CELESTIAL level of comedy that would BLOW YOUR EFFING MIND if you could even approach comprehension of my genius.
Yeah.
^ that’s probably it.
THIS guy gets it.
Blind squirrels. Acorns.
It’s bound to happen sometime.
One of the Cubs’ all-time best relief pitchers.
he was
You beat me to it. Same as Jake he sucked everywhere else he’s played.
He might be A little better with the time off
Nice.
Cubs got their Stropper.
Welcome back, sadly only losing this time.
Welcome back Pete!! For $800k which is less than Rickett’s last yacht cost, the Cubs are taking a shot at one of the best teammates the Cubs have ever had and when healthy, a great reliever. Maddon’s idiocy in letting Pete hit in the 8th inning in Washington when he tore his groin led to his recent struggles. Here’s to hoping Pete can make the club!
In a weak division the Cubs just may have enough to be there at the end. They should hold onto Bryant and see if they can make one more run with him. If the season goes off the rails by the Allstar break you get as much as possible for him. If they are leading or within striking distance, you issue the QO. Not like they’ve had any huge offers from what’s been reported and from what we’ve seen in other high profile trades.
This team’s a freakin joke right now.
What a joke, they made another depth move. Totally worth getting upset about. lol
id be upset if my team *didn’t* make these moves and then had no depth to deal with injuries.
So the White Sox
happy about this one, especially being a minor league detail
槳
We’re gettin’ the band back together.
We’re on a mission from God.
Here comes the dumb “dumpster diving” comments like there aren’t 29 other teams also signing players to minor league deals. Y’all are something else
The other 29 teams are all just poseurs though. The Cubbies are the OG dumpster divers.
I’m glad the Cubs picked up Strop. He can always be counted on to give up hits to the Cardinals with the game on the line. I hope the Little Bears keep him around forever.
The last time the Cubs acquired Arrieta and Strop in the same timeframe, things worked out great.
Workman’s 2019 season was lights out. Cannot believe the numbers he posted. He was injured earlier in his career but was very effective in 17 and 18 when available. If he can perform like he did between 17-19 this is a great pick up.