Pedro Strop, Cubs Agree to Contract Extension

After playing an integral role out of the bullpen during their run to the World Series in 2016, the Chicago Cubs have rewarded reliever Pedro Strop with a contract extension. 

Patrick Mooney of Comcast SportsNet Chicago first reported Strop's extension with the Cubs. ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported Strop's new deal runs through 2018 with a team option for 2019. 

Mooney also reported Strop will receive $5.85 million in 2018 and his option year is for $6.25 million with a $500,000 buyout. 

The Cubs already had Strop under contract for 2017 after the two sides avoided arbitration in February when he signed a one-year deal for $5.5 million.  

Adding one more guaranteed year to Strop's deal gives the Cubs some stability in the bullpen without having to overpay on the free-agent market.

The Cubs acquired the 31-year-old Strop in 2013 from the Baltimore Orioles in one of the most lopsided recent deals in Major League Baseball. Jake Arrieta, who won the 2015 National League Cy Young, also came to Chicago as part of that deal. 

Strop has been a huge asset for the Cubs in his three full seasons with the team. He has posted a 2.65 ERA with 212 strikeouts and 106 hits allowed in 176.1 innings since 2014.