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Well, you can’t take away the memories.
Everyone remembers how the Cubs committed highway robbery in 2013, trading for Jake Arrieta from the Orioles, but in that same deal they also picked up Pedro Strop. Hell, if the Cubs had only gotten Strop in that trade it would have been a steal. From 2014-18, Strop had five consecutive seasons posting a sub-3 ERA. He’s the only reliever in Cubs history to accomplish that.
Yet, after struggling in 2019 and battling a few different injuries, Strop won’t be returning to the Cubs in 2020. Hector Gomez broke the signing on Thursday. Strop is signing a one-year deal with the Reds.
Ken Rosenthal confirmed the contract.
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And this isn’t hyperbole. Pedro Strop really is one of the best relievers in Cubs history.
It sucks that Strop won’t be back, but obviously it really blows that he’s going to the Reds, a division rival. It’s tough, because you can see why the Cubs decided to move on, but obviously fans have emotional attachments with players.
Not only was Strop great on the mound, he was a good teammate, and just seemed like a great dude.
Damnit, why did it have to be the Reds.
Anyway, here’s a random memory from 2017, when Strop hit a home run off Anthony Rizzo at Wrigley.
