Cubs, Strop agree to extension
The Chicago Cubs locked up one of their key bullpen arms Friday, agreeing to an extension with right-hander Pedro Strop that will keep the 31-year-old under contract through at least 2018 and includes a team option for the following season, the club announced.
Strop, who had been scheduled to become a free agent next winter, is now guaranteed $5.85 next season, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers, and has a $6.25 million club option for the 2019 campaign that includes a $500,000 buyout.
Despite missing time last season with leg and groin injuries, Strop was dominant for the eventual World Series champions in 2016, posting a 2.85 ERA over 54 appearances while managing career-bests in WHIP (0.89), strikeout rate (32.1 percent), walk rate (eight percent), and opponents' batting average (.161).
Earlier this month, Strop and the Cubs agreed to a $5.5-million deal for the 2017 campaign, avoiding arbitration.
One of the most reliable relievers of the past half-decade, Strop has logged more appearances since 2012 (331) than all but 14 pitchers, posting an ERA of 2.91 or better in four of the past five seasons while allowing just 18 home runs in 300 innings over that span (0.54 per nine).