Strop agrees to two-year contract with Cubs

MESA, Ariz. – The Chicago Cubs and reliever Pedro Strop have agreed to a two-year contract that includes a club option for 2019. The deal announced Friday supersedes a US$5.5 million, oneyear agreement from earlier this month. Strop went 2-2 with a 2.85 earned-run average in 54 appearances last year, helping Chicago win the World Series for the first time since 1908. Strop, known for wearing his hat off to the side, and ace right-hander Jake Arrieta were acquired in the same July 2013 trade with Baltimore. The 31-year-old Strop is 15-20 with a 3.23 ERA in eight seasons with Texas, Baltimore and tjhe Cubs.