AP Source: Cubs, Strop avoid arbitration with 1-year deal (Yahoo Sports)

A person familiar with the situation says the World Series champion Chicago Cubs and reliever Pedro Strop have agreed to a $5.5 million, one-year contract. Strop had asked for $6 million in arbitration with the team offering $4.6 million. The agreement continues a streak for president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, who has never taken a player to an arbitration hearing with Chicago or Boston.