Cincinnati Reds make a solid signing, Pedro Strop is better than you think

The Cincinnati Reds continued a solid offseason by signing reliever Pedro Strop to a deal.  Strop is a solid option for the Reds bullpen that will be critical to them making the postseason.

The Mystery Team wins another free agent contest.  The Miami Marlins and Texas Rangers were allegedly the finalists for Pedro Strop’s services before the Cincinnati Reds swooped in and signed him for a 1-year, $1.8M deal with incentives that could push it up a little higher.

Strop spent 2019 battling a myriad of injuries primarily with his hamstring that limited him to 41.2 innings which was his lowest inning total since he threw 47 in 2016.  By signing with the Reds, Strop stays in the NL Central where he has spent the majority of his career since the Cubs acquired him with Jake Arrieta from the Orioles.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Strop was a very solid reliever for the Cubs who didn’t get much fanfare outside of Chicago since he spent his time setting up Aroldis Chapman, Wade Davis, and Brandon Morrow.  Still, Strop has saved 32 games over the past two years when called upon.

Going back to 2014, Pedro Strop has been the 35th best reliever by WAR at 4.8.  That isn’t quite elite but given the volatility of relievers, it is a testament to the consistency he offers year in and year out.

One significant allure for the Reds is that Strop has a career groundball rate at a staggering 54% which will be critical to having success in hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. Among qualified 2019 Reds relievers, Strop’s groundball rate is tied for the best rate on the team with LHP Amir Garrett so having a righty groundball specialist is something the Reds need to be competitive.  Strop generates those GBs with a fastball, cutter, slider mix that he throws 37%, 23%, and 40% respectively.

If there’s an area of concern (or optimism), Strop’s fastball velocity dropped to 93.6 MPH in 2019 compared to 2018’s mark of 95.1.  Despite being 34, its reasonable to believe an offseason to get healthy could see Strop return to his previous velocity levels.

Those injuries also may be the reason Strop increased his slider usage 10% in 2019.  If this is what Strop is now, he can still be an effective member of the Reds bullpen, but there is some hidden potential upside for Strop if his velocity returns.

The Cincinnati Reds made a good signing that will help them chase the playoffs in 2020.  Strop joins a competent Reds bullpen that ranked 12th in reliever WAR last season.  Every game is going to matter in the NL Central this season with four teams vying for the Central crown and the success of Pedro Strop will be a critical piece if the Reds are going to win it.