If the Astros commerce Ryan Pressly, the Cubs seem the likeliest touchdown spot. USA At present’s Bob Nightengale reported this night that Chicago was nearing a deal for the veteran reliever. A number of studies from the Houston beat indicated that Pressly has not agreed to waive his no-trade rights, nonetheless. It’s additionally not clear if the Cubs and Astros had agreed to a remaining commerce package deal and had been awaiting Pressly’s resolution, or if the groups merely felt they had been making progress in these conversations.
Chandler Rome, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic report that whereas the Cubs are critical suitors for the two-time All-Star, no deal is believed to be imminent. In keeping with The Athletic, the Blue Jays and at the very least one thriller staff from the West Coast have additionally expressed curiosity. Brian McTaggart of MLB.com equally wrote this night that the Astros have fielded curiosity from a number of golf equipment on Pressly.
In any case, the 36-year-old righty controls his vacation spot. Pressly has full no-trade safety as a participant with at the very least 10 years of MLB service and five-plus service years along with his present staff. 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 choose to remain there.
Whether or not Pressly would waive his no-trade clause to hitch the Cubs, Blue Jays or anybody else stays to be seen. There isn’t a definitive reporting that he’s unwilling to maneuver. All that’s clear is that he has not accredited a commerce up to now.
This might be a key resolution for Houston’s total offseason. The Astros have a suggestion out to Alex Bregman. In latest days, they’ve resumed talks with their longtime third baseman. Bregman continues to be pursuing a long-term contract; Houston’s preliminary supply was reportedly for $156MM over six years. The Astros venture round $3MM north of the bottom luxurious tax threshold. Offloading a number of million {dollars} may enable them to duck under the CBT line for the second. Signing Bregman would undoubtedly push them again into tax territory, although that’s maybe a neater promote for possession than it could be to pay the CBT even when he walks.
Pressly mixed for 110 appearances between 2023-24, which triggered a $14MM vesting possibility on his deal. That’s most likely slightly 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 position 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 stable season, working to a 3.49 earned run common by way of 56 2/3 frames. Pressly’s strikeout charge dropped to a league common 23.8% clip — his lowest mark since his 2018 breakout — however he posted a stable 7.4% stroll charge whereas choosing up 25 holds.
The Cubs and Jays may every supply Pressly their nearer position. Chicago has a number of much less skilled pitchers (e.g. Porter Hodge, Nate Pearson, Tyson Miller) who may compete for saves. Toronto has already added Jeff Hoffman, Yimi García and Nick Sandlin this offseason. That trio joins Chad Inexperienced and Erik Swanson within the high-leverage combine. Hoffman might be the favourite for the ninth inning, however he has been a setup man for many of his profession. He recorded 10 of his 12 profession saves for the Phillies final season. Pressly saved at the very least 26 video games in every of his three full seasons as Houston’s nearer.
