Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Saturday that Pedro Strop would be "one of the higher candidates" to close if Kevin Gregg is traded. Sveum indicated before Strop's arrival that Blake Parker might be next in line for saves after Gregg, but it appears that Strop has passed him up. The former Oriole has eight strikeouts over 6 2/3 scoreless innings since arriving in Chicago. "He's obviously one of the higher candidates just because he's pitched in high-profile games already in the big leagues," said Sveum. "He's got the stuff, he's got the velocity. He's got a strike slider, he's got a wipeout slider. . He has a good time on the mound. He's not scared of anything. Those are the kind of guys you want out there."