Cubs give Stroman $71M, 3-year deal

CHICAGO » The Cubs landed one of the top remaining free agent starting pitchers, agreeing Wednesday to a $71 million, three-year contract with right-hander Marcus Stroman.

Stroman gets $25 million in each of the next two seasons and has a $21 million player option for 2024. His option price could increase by $2 million each for 160 innings in 2022 and ‘23.

Stroman announced he was leaving the New York Mets for Chicago in a series of tweets a few hours before the labor contract between players and owners was set to expire. The Cubs later confirmed the deal.

Improving the Cubs’ pitching was a priority for president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer after the team ranked among the worst in baseball with a 4.87 ERA. Stroman, 30, figures to give the rotation a huge boost. He went 10-13 with a 3.02 ERA and tied for the major league lead with 33 starts for the Mets this year.

D-backs add Melancon to bullpen

PHOENIX » The Arizona Diamondbacks made a move to solidify the back end of their bullpen, adding four-time All-Star Mark Melancon on a two-year deal worth a reported $14 million.

Now the D-backs have to get good enough to provide Melancon games to actually save.

The right-handed Melancon, who will be 37 by opening day, led the big leagues with 39 saves last year in his only season with San Diego. He had a 4-3 record and 2.23 ERA to earn his first All-Star appearance since 2016.

Twins sign Bundy

MINNEAPOLIS » The Minnesota Twins signed right-hander Dylan Bundy to a $5 million, one-year contract, taking their first step toward rebuilding a depleted rotation.

Bundy will make $4 million in 2022. His deal comes with a club option for 2023 or a $1 million buyout.

Bundy went 2-9 with a 6.06 ERA in 90.2 innings last season for the Angels, starting 19 of his 23 appearances. The 29-year-old was 6-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 65 2/3 innings in 2020.