Reds on Verge of Signing Pedro Strop Adds Insult to Poaching Nicholas Castellanos From Cubs

The Cincinnati Reds sure are starting to feel like a thorn in the Cubs' side right now. They just signed Nicholas Castellanos to a monster four-year deal, stealing the veteran slugger away from Chicago.

While the idea of Pedro Strop leaving town won't come as a major shock to Cubbies fans, the fact that it's looking like he's going to end up in Cincy is downright infuriating.

SOURCE: Pedro Strop is very close to reaching an agreement with the Cincinnati Reds.@z101digital @ZDeportes
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) January 30, 2020

With a deal reportedly on the verge of going down, per Hector Gomez, that makes two former studs who used to call Wrigley Field home heading to play for an NL Central rival. We all know what the Cubs will miss in Castellanos, as he hit 16 homers and drove in 36 RBI during his 51-game tenure with the team.

As for Strop, he had a bit of a down year, recording a 4.97 ERA in 50 appearances. Still, though, he has been with the Cubs since 2013 and has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen ever since, owning a 2.90 ERA across seven seasons with the team.

I feel like every year it felt like Pedro Strop would suffer some of the worst meltdowns but every year his numbers were solid and he was so important for the Cubs for a long time. Salute. https://t.co/94elm3wFxq
— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) January 30, 2020

This deal could be made official by the end of the week. It'll be another big win for the Reds and a tough loss for the Cubs, whose fans haven't had much to smile about this offseason.