The Chicago Cubs signed right-handed pitcher Pedro Strop to a one-year contract worth
$2.525 million on Thursday to avoid arbitration, according to the team's official website.
Strop, 29, had a 2.21 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 61 innings out of Chicago's bullpen in 2014. In 96 innings with the Cubs since a 2013 trade from Baltimore, Strop has a 2.44 ERA and 113 strikeouts.
In six big-league seasons with the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Cubs, Strop has struck out 236 batters in 224 1/3 innings with a 3.41 ERA.
The Cubs have come to terms with all of their arbitration-eligible players.
>>Brewers Sign Perez To Minor League Deal
(Milwaukee, WI) -- The Milwaukee Brewers are taking a flyer on former Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez. The Brewers have signed the 29-year-old right-hander to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training. If he makes the team, Perez will earn 1.5-million-dollar dollars in salary with a chance to double his pay through incentives. Perez went 1-and-3 with a 4.27 ERA in 49 games with the Dodgers last season. The two-time All-Star has 133 saves over his seven-year career with the Cardinals, Indians and Dodgers.
>>Red Sox Sign Wade Miley To Three-Year Deal
(Boston, MA) -- The Boston Red Sox are locking up newly-acquired southpaw Wade Miley with a three-year contract extension. Miley's agency reports the deal is worth over 19-million-dollars. The 28-year-old was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the Winter Meetings in exchange for right-handers Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster. In four seasons with the D'backs, Miley went 38-and-35 in 106 games, 102 of which were starts with a 3.79 ERA.
>>Tigers' Martinez To Have Knee Surgery
(Detroit, MI) -- American League MVP runner-up Victor Martinez is going under the knife. The Detroit Tigers say "V-Mart" tore the medial meniscus in his left knee during workouts last week and will have surgery. The injury typically requires a four-to-six week recovery period. The 36-year-old designated hitter signed a four-year, 68-million-dollar contract this offseason to remain with Detroit. Martinez hit .335 with a career-high 32 home runs while driving in 103 runs last season. He finished second in league in Most Valuable Player voting behind Angels outfielder Mike Trout. "V-Mart" is entering his fourth season with the Tigers.
