7:37pm: Nightengale stories that the Tigers are not within the operating. If Pressly does agree to maneuver, it’s anticipated to be to the Cubs.
6:57pm: The Astros have formally requested Ryan Pressly whether or not he’d approve a commerce to the Cubs, stories Jon Heyman of The New York Put up. Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 stories that they’ve additionally requested the reliever if he’d settle for a deal to the Tigers. Chandler Rome, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic first reported this afternoon that the Tigers had been in discussions with Houston about Pressly.
In any case, it appears the ball is firmly in Pressly’s court docket. Bob Nightengale of USA Immediately writes that the Astros have reached a “tentative” settlement with not less than a kind of groups, which is clearly conditional on Pressly waiving the no-trade rights. Bruce Levine of 670 The Rating means that the Cubs really feel the holdups on the no-trade safety are “resolvable.”
Pressly has full no-trade safety as a participant with not less than 10 years of MLB service and five-plus service years along with his present workforce. He grew up within the Dallas space and has pitched in Houston for the reason that 2018 commerce deadline. His spouse Katharine is a Houston native. It’s not out of the query that he and his household merely favor to remain there.
Pressly mixed for 110 appearances between 2023-24, which triggered a $14MM vesting possibility on his deal. That’s in all probability a bit above market worth however not dramatically so. José Leclerc and Andrew Kittredge every signed $10MM free agent contracts this winter. Blake Treinen, who’s six months older than Pressly, landed two years at $11MM yearly.
After serving as Houston’s nearer between 2020-23, Pressly moved right into a setup function final yr. That was in response to their late strike so as to add Josh Hader on a five-year free agent deal. He had a strong season, working to a 3.49 earned run common by means of 56 2/3 frames. Pressly’s strikeout fee dropped to a league common 23.8% clip — his lowest mark since his 2018 breakout — however he posted a strong 7.4% stroll fee whereas selecting up 25 holds.
The Cubs and Tigers have each been exploring the nearer market. Every would presumably give Pressly the prospect to return to the ninth inning. Chicago has a couple of much less skilled pitchers (e.g. Porter Hodge, Nate Pearson, Tyson Miller) who might compete for saves. It’s an analogous story in Detroit, the place Beau Brieske, Jason Foley, Will Vest and Tyler Holton are a part of what would tasks as a better by committee group. The Tigers have a powerful reduction group however lean closely on their bullpen in video games not began by Tarik Skubal. Including Pressly would solidify the again finish. He’s a identified commodity for skipper A.J. Hinch, who managed him in Houston between 2018-19.
