Chicago Cubs, Strop agree to contract extension
MESA, Ariz. - Pedro Strop's career took a turn for the better when he was traded to the Cubs from the Baltimore Orioles in July 2013.
On Friday, the Cubs and Strop decided to continue their relationship through at least the 2018 season. The two sides recently avoided salary arbitration by agreeing on a contract for this year worth $5.5 million. The extension pays Strop $5.85 million in 2018. There is a club option for $6.25 million for 2019 or a buyout worth $500,000.
Strop, 31, came to the Cubs in the same deal that brought starting pitcher Jake Arrieta to Chicago. The Cubs gave up pitcher Scott Feldman and catcher Steve Clevenger.
In his time with the Cubs, Strop is 8-14 with a 2.68 ERA, 6 saves and a WHIP of 0.98. He could have become a free agent after this season.
"That was really, really, really good at that point because I wasn't getting an opportunity to pitch back in Baltimore because I was through a bad stretch," Strop said of the trade to the Cubs. "I wasn't pitching the way I pitch; I was struggling a little bit. I wasn't being given an opportunity to get back on track.
"So by the time they traded me over here, as soon as I got here, I worked with (bullpen coach) Lester Strode and (pitching coach Chris) Bosio, and they put me in the right way, and I got the opportunity to get back on track here."
Last year, Strop was 2-2 with a 2.85 ERA and a WHIP of 0.89 in 54 games as a setup man. He was on the disabled list from Aug. 11-Sept. 23 after suffering a meniscus tear in his left knee. He worked in 8 postseason games, including 3 in the World Series.
Strop is one of the more popular players in the Cubs clubhouse.
"His pitching is big part of why we wanted to bring him back but also who he is," said general manager Jed Hoyer. "I think he has a leadership role on this team. He's been terrific in the clubhouse for us. He's terrific in the bullpen. He's the kind of guy you want to keep around.
"He puts every person around him in a better mood every day. He's always beaming. He's in a great mood. But under that huge smile is an awesome competitor. This guy wants the ball in the biggest spots. We want more guys like that."
Let the games begin:
The Cactus League season begins for the Cubs with a pair of split-squad games Saturday. One squad hosts the Oakland Athletics at Sloan Park. Another squad travels to Scottsdale to play the Giants.
Mike Montgomery pitches against the A's in a game to be televised by WGN. Rob Zastryzny goes against the Giants. Kyle Schwarber bats leadoff in that game. Jason Heyward leads off against the A's.
Celebrating in Mesa:
The Cubs and the city of Mesa held a championship rally Friday at Sloan Park. Fans began lining up outside of the ballpark Thursday afternoon for a chance to have their photos taken with the World Series trophy.
Joe Maddon was given a key to the city of Mesa.
"I was a resident here from 1981 until maybe 2001," Maddon said, referring to his days in the Angels organization. "With the Cubs, I think of HoHoKam and Fitch Park (the team's former spring facilities) … My kids have grown up here. They love it here. They don't want to leave. I've got my grandkids here now. I cut my teeth here. This is where I learned my trade.
"I have a real, real, strong connection to all of this, where it began and where it is right now. It's quite a distance."