Reds sign veteran reliever Pedro Strop from the Cubs

Pedro Strop (Google Images)

The Cincinnati Reds signed veteran relief pitcher Pedro Strop of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic from the Chicago Cubs to a one year deal worth $1.825 million according to Rotoworld. The Reds become Strop’s fourth Major League Baseball team. In addition to the Cubs, he has played for the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers.

In 50 games, Strop had a record of two wins and five losses with an earned run average of 4.97. In 41 2/3 innings pitched, Strop gave up 33 hits, 23 earned runs and 20 walks. Strop had a WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 1.27 and had 49 strikeouts.

The major problem for Strop last season was his control. He averaged one walk in just over every two innings. Control issues have not been new for Strop. In 2012, he had 37 walks in 66 1/3 innings. Strop has 224 walks in 501 1/3 innings.

One statistic where Strop has been very effective is regard to strikeouts. He has 548 strikeouts in 501 1/3 innings.

Strop was part of the Cubs team that won the 2016 World Series. In 5 2/3 innings pitched in the 2016 postseason, Strop only gave up two earned runs for an earned run average of 3.18.

In 2020, Strop will be part of a Reds bullpen that includes closer Raisel Iglesias of Isla de la Juventud, Cuba, and fellow relievers Michael Lorenzen of Anaheim, California, Amir Garrett of Victorville, California, Robert Stephenson of Martinez, California, Lucas Sims of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Cody Reed of Horn Lake, Mississippi, Nate Jones of Butler, Kentucky, Matt Bowman of Chevy Case, Maryland, Justin Shafer of Lake Wales, Florida, Jose de Leon of Isabela, Puerto Rico and Joel Kuhnel of Goldsboro, North Carolina. Jones arrives to the Reds from the Chicago White Sox, Shafer from the Toronto Blue Jays and de Leon from the Tampa Bay Rays.