The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of making their third major trade this offseason.
Days after left-handed pitcher Tanner Scott rejected the Cubs' reported four-year, $66 million offer to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago is reportedly on the brink of acquiring two-time All-Star Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The Chicago Cubs on verge of acquiring closer Ryan Pressly from the Astros
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 23, 2025Pressly, 36, is entering the final year of a three-year, $42 million contract he signed prior to the 2023 season. After spending three seasons as the Astros' primary closer, the right-hander worked mostly as a set-up man to Josh Hader in 2024. He finished the season 2-3 with a 3.49 ERA in 59 appearances.
In a 12-year career with the Minnesota Twins and Astros, Pressly is 35-36 with a 3.27 ERA.
Scott was arguably the best closer on the free agent market. But the Cubs have had success consummating trades all winter, including the blockbuster deal that brought in outfielder Kyle Tucker from Houston.
As Nightengale notes, Pressly has the right to veto any trade and would have to give the Astros permission to trade him to the Cubs.
Because Pressly has yet to waive his no-trade clause, Chandler Rome of The Athletic notes, "no deal is imminent."
To be clear, Ryan Pressly is still on the block and could be traded. But no deal is imminent and he has not waived his no-trade clause for any deal. https://t.co/c2rbCz1jTc
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) January 23, 2025The Astros have had an agreed-to trade thwarted by a player's no-trade clause before. In December, Houston and St. Louis shook hands on a deal that would have sent veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Astros, but Arenado reportedly voided the deal.
If they are able to land Pressly, it will be the second trade the Cubs have made this winter to upgrade their bullpen. In November, Chicago acquired right-hander Eli Morgan from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Single-A outfielder Alfonsin Rosario.
More news: Cubs Made 'Legitimate Traction' Trading Gold Glove Winner to AL: Report
Pressly made the American League All-Star team in 2019 and 2021 with Houston. In 2022, Pressly helped the Astros win the World Series by recording two saves in the Fall Classic against the Philadelphia Phillies.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, getting out from under the final year of Pressly's contract could help the Astros re-sign free agent third baseman Alex Bregman.
If the Astros are able to trade Pressly, that could provide $ flexibility and enhance their chances to bring back star 3B Alex Bregman, people involved say
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 23, 2025That suggests the Cubs would not be sending any of their higher-priced players to Houston in any iteration of a trade Astros general manager Dana Brown would agree to. They reportedly were in talks with Seattle on a deal that would send second baseman Nico Hoerner to the Mariners earlier this offseason.
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