Report: Cubs set to take chance on Astros’ reliever Pressly
Between 2021-23, right-hander Ryan Pressly piled up 90 saves for the Houston Astros.
Last year, he was just 4 of 12 in save opportunities. The Cubs apparently plan to see if Pressly, 36, has a bounceback season in him.
According to multiple reports, Pressly agreed to waive his no-trade clause and is headed to the Cubs in exchange for a lower-level minor-league prospect. The Astros will reportedly cover a portion of his $14 million salary this season.
Closer was a significant problem for the Cubs last season. Adbert Alzolay excelled in the role in 2023, but struggled early last year and eventually needed elbow surgery. Former Astro Hector Neris had some success in the role, led the team with 17 saves, then was released on Aug. 20.
The Cubs think they have some decent late-inning options on the roster between Porter Hodge, Luke Little, Nate Pearson, Tyson Miller and a more healthy Julian Merryweather. It's possible Ben Brown tries short relief this year.
Some new additions in the bullpen are Matt Festa, Eli Morgan, Cody Poteet, Caleb Thielbar and Rob Zastryzny.
One odd stat about Pressly is he had a lower ERA (3.49) in 2024 than he did the previous year (3.58). Compared to his best work in 2022, though, Pressly's hits per nine innings rose from 5.6 to 9.2, while his strikeouts per nine innings dropped from 12.1 to 9.2.
According to StatCast, Pressly lost some velocity on his four-seam fastball, which averaged 94.7 miles per hour in '23 and 93.8 mph in '24. Opposing batters hit .313 against that four-seam in 2024. Meanwhile, opposing batters had hit below .200 against his slider four years in a row, then went .244 last season.
His 8 blown saves in 2024 were third-most in MLB, behind the Yankees' Clay Holmes and Jalen Beeks, who took the mound for both Colorado and Pittsburgh.
So it's hard to tell if Cubs fans should be excited about this move. The Cubs made a serious bid for San Diego reliever Tanner Scott as a free agent, but lost out to the Dodgers. The Cubs reportedly showed interest in Texas' Kirby Yates, but he also signed with the Dodgers.
A couple free-agent closers still on the market are Washington's Kyle Finnegan (38 of 43 in save chances last season) and Philadelphia's Carlos Estevez (26 of 31). It seems like the Cubs preferred to take a chance on Pressly instead of signing one of the remaining free agents to a long-term deal.
Pressly, a Dallas native, has spent 12 seasons in the majors, breaking in with Minnesota in 2013. He was a key piece of Houston's long postseason streak, making 47 appearances and notching 14 saves in the playoffs.
Pressly recorded the final out of the 2022 World Series against Philadelphia, coaxing a foul fly out from former Cub Nick Castellanos to end Game 6.