Chicago Cubs: Ranking the greatest players of the decade – #10-1

Chicago Cubs: No. 7: Pedro Strop

Relief pitchers usually only make headlines when they have a bad outing. Indeed, many Chicago Cubs fans have been quick to criticize Pedro Strop any time he has given up runs over the years. Still, when we look at everything he’s done for the Cubs since 2013, we have to put him in the top ten on this list.

Strop had a nice 2012 pitching in relief for the Baltimore Orioles, but after a rough start to 2013, the Orioles gave up on him and traded him to the Cubs (along with Jake Arrieta). The right-hander quickly found it again for the Cubs and has been arguably their most reliable and consistent relief pitcher of this generation. Check out these ERA totals from 2013 to 2018: 2.83, 2.21, 2.91, 2.85, 2.83, & 2.26.

Strop had a rough 2019, posting an uncharacteristic 4.97, and since he’s a free agent there is speculation that he may have pitched his last game with the Cubs. If it is the end, it’s been a great run: a 2.90 ERA in 373 innings.

I hope that his difficult 2019 doesn’t spoil his legacy as a great Cubs reliever, and I hope Cubs fans will remember him for more than just wearing his hat crooked but rather as a staple of these winning teams.