Free-agent righty Pedro Strop is mulling offers from multiple clubs, per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet (Twitter links). The longtime Cubs setup man has three offers in hand at the moment, Nicholson-Smith adds, citing the Marlins, Brewers, Cubs and Rangers as teams who’ve been showing interest of late.
While it’s not clear which combination of that group has offers on the table, it’d be a surprise to see the Cubs make a competitive offer following ownership’s recent spending limitations and the team’s general lack of offseason activity to date. Nicholson-Smith does indicate that two NL clubs and an AL team have put an offer out to Strop, which at least speculatively speaking, would make the Marlins, Brewers and Rangers a trio that fits the description. Miami was already tied to Strop two weeks ago when FNTSY Sports Radio’s Craig Mish reported their interest.
Hamstring and neck injuries limited Strop to just 41 2/3 innings in 2019 and quite possibly hindered his on-field production; the typically hard-throwing righty logged a 4.97 ERA and saw his heater dip from an average of 95.1 mph in 2018 to 93.6 mph in 2019. That said, Strop still racked up strikeouts at an impressive clip (10.6 K/9) and notched a quality 13.5 percent swinging-strike rate.
And, of course, prior to his down year in 2019, Strop was a consistent force in the Chicago ’pen. The right-hander posted five consecutive sub-3.00 ERA seasons from 2014-18, pitching to a combined 2.61 mark (3.10 FIP) with averages of 10.1 K/9, 3.5 BB/9 and 0.6 HR/9 with a ground-ball rate well north of 50 percent. The Marlins have seen considerable turnover in their bullpen already this winter and are said to be eyeing a veteran addition along the lines of last year’s Sergio Romo pickup. The Brewers, meanwhile, already have a deep collection of arms but never shy away from a late-offseason value play. And the Rangers, of course, have been aggressive in reshaping their club in preparation for the opening of their new stadium in 2020.
Eatdust666
Despite his poor showing in the 2019 season, he would still be a good pickup for a team that’s looking for some bullpen help or another quality reliever.
dynamite drop in monty
I’d imagine that’s every team in the majors.
spinach
You two are experts in stating the obvious.
dynamite drop in monty
That was kind of my point
MWeller77
* every team in the majors except the Dodgers, apparently
ChiSox_Fan
Except the Cubs – they have no money!
Just a fan
test
Catuli Carl
The Bryant ruling is coming tomorrow. I can feel it.
chicubs_fan
PapiElf
chicubs_fan what an enlightening comment!
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
It only took 4 and half years.
bigbadjohnny
same day as HOF news ?…..doubt it.
ChiSox_Fan
Who cares about Bryant ruling?
Either trade Bryant for a bag of balls or hang on to him for 2 years tops!
Phiilies2020
My Phillies desperately need a reliever. They were in on Betances at one point, idk what they are waiting for. Strop? Kintzler? Greg Holland? Someone please
Ashtem
Collin Mchugh
T_Rexx2
They need to take more flyers like this. A one year deal can’t go wrong. If he’s bad you drop him if he’s good you struck gold.
John hansen
You really know your baseball. Lol
Mrtwotone
Even if they just get a couple of guys like strop and kintzler it could really help their team in the long run. I’m surprised they havnt signed a BP guy considering the troubles they had last year but I guess they still have a bad taste in their mouth from the Robertson and Hunter deals
Mikel Grady
Phillies2020 if you want strop or kintzler then you defiantly are desperate . You can find better players
zanek
He is a good pitcher
ronnsnow
lol
jdgoat
You disagree with that statement?
rizdakc99
Wow, that many offers? Strop the presses.
TheAdrianBeltre
I’m guessing he’ll never be Stropped for cash…
canocorn
He’s obviously a blade man.
pbjls
Glad to see rangers tied to this. They need to make this happen.
AllinTX
The Rangers need to sign him.
thickiedon
White Sox
cwsOverhaul
They already have Herrera as the previously good reliever that might be done. Solutions for last BP spot can be an old fashioned ST competition.
ChiSox_Fan
The more the merrier. It’s not my money.
He can join Cishek.
Jim Carter
Thank goodness the White Sox aren’t interested.
Dogbone
More likely, Strop not interested in them.
Paulie0514
You make strop sound like a star, but of course you’re a cub fan that’s what you all do.
Cubby777
No his sub-3 era speaks for itself…..
LaPantera
Why do you think this? Strop has no reason to avoid the finishing touches on the southside rebuild.
jbigz12
How about the Marlins, Pedro. I could certainly use another correct prediction on my FA contest
scvanguard1
Would someone please show him the proper way to wear a baseball cap?
TheAdrianBeltre
Lol. I will if you show Odor to the top buttons on his jersey.
dbec72
I think he wears it that way to honor his dad or someone who wore his hat that.
Eat'EmUpTigers
Fernando Rodney : hold my arrow
Robertn623
He wears that as a tribute to his grandfather who saved him from abuse and raised him ..and taught him the game
Robertn623
He wears that as a tribute to his grandfather who saved him from abuse and raised him ..and taught him the game
themed
I’m sure his grandfather would tell him to wear his cap correctly and not like a thug if that was the case. Respect the game!
ron swanson 2
OK B00MER!!
Paulie0514
Still a stupid way to wear a hat
dynamite drop in monty
Lol what a weak retort
ChiSox_Fan
Exactly.
Wear a hat like a man!
dbec72
Cubs offer league minimum.
wordonthestreet
Wrong
stretch123
Marlins 1 year at 4 million is what I see.
dray16
Kind of hope it’s Milwaukee so I can laugh at the fans that have ripped on him for years, now tell me how good of a pickup this is.
ron swanson 2
You are a sad little man dray
bdpecore
I’d just rip the Cubs for not being able to afford anyone this offseason. Not even a bounce back candidate like Pedro.
msqboxer
Multiple Offers = A bunch of 1 years deals based on incentives.
Dexxter
I kind of hope the Jays are in on him.
Even if he’s never a sub 3 era guy again… he’s likely a lot better than his numbers last year.
A cheap two year deal with an option maybe? Wouldn’t kill payroll if last year is the new norm for him.
VegasSDfan
I’m sure at 34 years old and at 555 appearances, he will bounce back and regain his velocity…
Preller probably wants to go 4 years with him
bigbadjohnny
Four teams……Marlins, Cubs, Brewers, Rangers…..
Marlins…….pay min salary….
Cubs………..pay when they can find some money….
Brewers……not paying……just getting their name out there…..
Rangers…….these guys have the money !…….and Pedro will have many Amigos around him !
dynamite drop in monty
What
Rangers29
umm if that is a racial thing, then why… if it is because the rangers drafted him, well that was 12 years ago so all of those guys are gone… so what’s your point?
bigbadjohnny
Pedro will be a great 12th inning pitcher for the Cubs !
reflect
How much does an offer weigh?
Fred K. Burke
To the L.A. Angels he goes to be with Genius Joe.
nealer
As long as he comes cheap Brewers are interested
bdpecore
I would imagine lots of teams would be interested in a player with his track record if he comes cheap. I know you are trying to knock the Brewers but your comment comes across as bitter and ignorant. Why do you believe the Brewers are cheapskates when they just had a record payroll last season?
bdpecore
Good GMs don’t spend money just to spend money.
bigbadjohnny
To: Rangers29……..what was that racists remark by you ?……..you do know Amigo means Friend !
don’t be so sensitive !
Taximan
Still believe a year incentive laden deal with Cubs. No team is going over a year for this guy. Castellanos and Bryant both Boras probably not a coincidence Castellanos not signed yet
Cubs will jettison Bryant for prospects Take on Castellanos if can dump another player
ES00018
Rangers