Pedro Strop

Pedro Strop

39-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Pedro Strop in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Cubs in February of 2021. Released by the Cubs in May of 2021.
Cut loose by Cubs
PFree Agent  
May 5, 2021
Strop elected free agency Wednesday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
ANALYSIS
After being removed from the Cubs' active roster April 17, Strop didn't report to the team's alternate site, instead choosing to return home to his native Dominican Republic. Since Strop didn't have any intention of heading to Triple-A Iowa for the start of the minor-league season, the two sides agreed to part ways while leaving the door open for a reunion down the road. For now, Strop will aim to find work with another organization, presumably one that can present him with a clearer path to a spot in a big-league bullpen.
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Pedro Strop See More
World Baseball Classic Picks: Cuba at Netherlands Best Bets for Tuesday, March 7
March 7, 2023
Michael Rathburn gives his betting breakdown for Netherlands vs Cuba as the World Baseball Classic gets underway Tuesday night.
WBC Picks Today: Expert World Baseball Classic Bets for Cuba at Netherlands March 7
October 19, 2022
Michael Rathburn digs into Wednesday's twin bill of MLB postseason action with his best bets from the ALCS and NLCS matchups.
The Z Files: Saving the Best for Last
January 20, 2022
Todd Zola examines recent draft trends when it comes to closers and weighs the pros and cons of spending an early pick on the likes of Emmanuel Clase.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
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You know the drill; relievers who struggle with walks and homers do not stay in closer roles. Strop earned double-digit saves for a second consecutive season, but there is a reason the Cubs threw the money they did at Craig Kimbrel in the early part of the summer. Strop does not have safe closer skills and the smoke and mirrors he used in 2018 to luck his way into 13 saves did not work in 2019. He could not strand guys, and he struggled with the bouncy baseball. He is a free agent and some club may give him a real shot at remaining the closer, which the Cubs always seemed reluctant to do. This feels like a possible Alex Colome-like rebound play because Strop can still get strikeouts and has that "veteran experience" managers love to give the first crack to. See where he lands to see if an opportunity can present itself to him in camp before adding him to your draft plans.
Strop remains one the game's most reliable setup men, having posted his sixth straight sub-3.00 ERA season. He failed to record 20 holds for the first time since 2013, instead being called upon to close on several occasions and registering 13 saves. Strop is one of the rare relievers using a true four-pitch mix (fastball, splitter, sinker, slider) with his split and slider both thrown about 30% of the time. Of some concern is an across-the-board drop in velocity, likely the reason for a second straight year with a falling strikeout clip. Last season, Strop whiffed fewer than a batter an inning for the first time since 2012. Strop's role entering 2019 is a bit unclear. Oft-injured closer Brandon Morrow underwent an offseason elbow procedure, and may not be ready to start the season. The Cubs could bring someone else in, but as of now, Strop is next-in-line and thus will be sought after in all formats. Beware the dropping dominance, but don't be afraid to invest.
Strop registered more than 20 holds for the fifth time in his last six seasons in 2017. It's no coincidence that Strop's ERA has been sub-3.00 in each of those five campaigns. Add in the fact that he strikes out more than a batter an inning and Strop is a great example of why it's not necessary to chase the brand name middle relievers -- he usually comes cheap and has been consistently reliable. The only chink in his armor is a high walk rate (3.9 BB/9 last season), something that has been a hindrance to ninth-inning duties. However, a groundball rate over 50 percent minimizes homers and is in large part responsible for his low ERA. Strop dials up his fastball at 96 mph, while mixing in a slider and cutter. After signing an extension with the Cubs last spring, Strop will be back in his customary setup role, where his holds will come in handy in leagues counting them, along with deeper leagues where reliever ratios and whiffs are useful.
Strop has quietly established himself as one of the most consistent setup men in the league, with 2016 marking his third consecutive season with an ERA under 3.00. Despite missing most of August and September following knee surgery, Strop helped anchor the bullpen of the title-winning Cubs, finishing the regular season with a 2.85 ERA and 0.89 WHIP to go along with a 2-2 record and 60 strikeouts in just 47.1 innings pitched, which equates to an elite 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings. He reached 20 holds for a third straight season, even with his time missed due to injury. Strop dropped his walk rate to 2.9 BB/9 (easily a career-best), down from 3.8 in 2015, while posting a groundball rate just south of 60 percent. Strop figures to remain in a high-leverage role in 2017, potentially handling primary setup duties in front of Wade Davis.
Most Cubs fans will remember the 2013 Scott Feldman trade as the deal that brought Jake Arrieta to Chicago, but Strop also came over in that deal, and he's been arguably the best player in the Cubs' bullpen over the last three seasons. Strop's 28 holds ranked third in the National League, and he struck out a career-high 10.7 batters per nine innings in 2015. While he gives up a few too many free passes to be trusted as an elite closer, he only walked three in his final 18 appearances of the season, and he has been used in the ninth inning at times over the last few years. Although Hector Rondon's performance as the closer over the last two years has been strong, he doesn't quite have a vise grip on the job. Strop is definitely the target for those who don't have confidence that Rondon can keep the role.
Going into last season, Strop was a sleeper to earn some saves for the Cubs, as no one believed Jose Veras would last the whole year as the closer. Though Strop got an early save and Veras was out of a job by mid-April, the job ultimately went to Hector Rondon. That said, Strop was still an important part of the bullpen, earning 21 holds to go with a 2.21 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 61 innings. Add in the 35 innings he pitched after coming over from the Orioles in 2013 and Strop now has nearly a 100-inning sample of strong pitching in the National League. Expect him to continue his success as a setup man for the Cubs this year.
Though Strop did not help move the needle in a pennant race, few pitchers took more advantage of a change in scenery last year. His 22.1 innings with the Orioles included a forgettable 7.25 ERA, among other atrocities, but three great post-trade months with the Cubs have Strop possibly in a position to close this year. In 35 innings with the Cubs, he had an outstanding 42:11 K:BB ratio and a low strand rate of 63.6%, suggesting that he might have actually been a bit unlucky. The Cubs should be looking for bullpen help during the offseason, but with Kevin Gregg now gone, Strop could be their top closing option. Don't forget him on draft day.
Strop spent most of the 2012 season as the primary setup man for Jim Johnson and he used his fastball-slider combo to churn out a 1.67 ERA and 1.19 WHIP for the first half. He slipped some in the second half, but the Orioles are rumored to think that Strop is a closer in waiting. Strop averaged nearly 97 mph on his fastball, up from 94 mph in 2011. If Strop can cut down on his walk rate (5.0 BB/9) he could inch toward his potential as a future ninth-inning option.
Strop, who was traded from the Rangers to the Orioles midseason, really settled in after the move, posting a 0.73 ERA in 12 appearances with Baltimore. Still, the same control issues which have defined his career have lingered. He had a 4.09 BB/9IP for the whole season and owns a 5.67 career mark. If he can find the strike zone, his strikeout numbers could carry him to usefulness (9.30 K/9IP), but for now he is still a work in progress
Strop shuttled back and forth between Triple-A Oklahoma City and the majors last season, posting poor numbers with Texas (10.2 innings, 17 hits, 12 earned runs, 11:11 K:BB) and excellent numbers in the minors (42.1 innings, 32 hits, nine earned runs, 57:14 K:BB). Whether he'll be able to translate his minor-league success into something serviceable in the majors remains to be seen.
Strop showed limited upside, getting sent down to Double-A Frisco after getting bombed early on at Triple-A Oklahoma City. His numbers at Double-A Frisco (51.1 innings, 48 hits, 48:29 K:BB) weren't good, and the promise he showed back in 2007 at Single-A (54.2 innings, 75 K) after being converted from a shortstop may have been left on the operating table back in 2008 when he underwent surgery for an elbow fracture.
More Fantasy News
Takes personal leave
PChicago Cubs  
Personal
May 2, 2021
Strop has taken a personal leave of absence from the Cubs, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
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Returned to alternate camp
PChicago Cubs  
April 17, 2021
Strop was returned to the Cubs' alternate training site Saturday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
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Earns first win since 2019
PChicago Cubs  
April 13, 2021
Strop (1-0) worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win Tuesday against the Brewers. He struck out one.
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Selected as replacement player
PChicago Cubs  
April 12, 2021
Strop was selected as a replacement player by the Cubs on Monday.
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Sent to minors
PChicago Cubs  
March 27, 2021
Strop was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Likely bound for Cincinnati
PFree Agent  
January 30, 2020
Strop is "very close" to reaching an agreement with the Reds on a contract, Hector Gomez of Deportivo Z 101 reports.
ANALYSIS
The Marlins and Rangers were previously believed to be Strop's primary suitors, but either Cincinnati has upped its offer for the veteran reliever or he's more open to the idea of joining a club that's seemingly on the rise after an active offseason to date. Raisel Iglesias is still expected to open the season as the Reds' closer, but after posting a career-worst 4.16 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 2019, he likely has less security in that role compared to previous years. If he signs with Cincinnati, Strop would likely be one of the top candidates for saves if the Reds decide to demote Iglesias from the closer's role at any point.
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