Pedro Strop, Cubs Reach $2.5M Deal To Avoid Arbitration

(CBS) The Cubs and right-handed reliever Pedro Strop have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.525-million deal.

Strop, 29, had requested $3 million, while the Cubs offered $2 million when figures were exchanged earlier. Strop had a strong 2014 season, posting a 2.21 ERA and 1.07 WHIP while striking out 71 in 61 innings.

Strop came to Chicago in July 2013 in a trade with Baltimore, and he's expected to be a key cog in the Cubs bullpen again this season.