The Chicago Cubs are reportedly trying to trade for former All-Star closer Ryan Pressly. The veteran reliever is in the final year of his three-year deal with the Houston Astros and is set to earn $14 million in 2025. His contract also includes a no-trade clause, so finalizing a trade between the Cubs and Astros won't be so cut-and-dried.
After losing out on Tanner Scott and then Kirby Yates to the Los Angeles Dodgers the Cubs continue to have ongoing discussions with several free agent closers in addition to having interest in Pressly. According to The Athletic, the Cubs have seriously considered signing more than 10 relievers this offseason.
Via The Athletic.
The group under consideration this winter, according to league sources briefed on the team’s discussions, has included Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, Ryan Pressly, Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek and Brooks Raley. For context, though, the list of relievers the Cubs have seriously evaluated easily reaches double digits.
Pressly has been a steady performer throughout his career, recording a 3.27 ERA in 650 MLB innings. The righty had 90 saves from 2021-23 with the Astros before he was moved back to a set-up role after Houston signed Josh Hader last offseason.
In 2024, Pressly's numbers dipped a bit, as he posted a 3.49 ERA in 56.2 innings. While he does have plenty of closing experience, 112 career saves, and postseason success, a 2.78 ERA in 47 playoff games, there were definite red flags that popped up for the two-time All-Star last season.
Pressly's fastball velocity has slowly been decreasing since 2021, going from 95.5mph down to 93.9mph in 2024. Coupled with that was the fact that Pressly's strikeout rate, which had been at or above the 30% range for six straight years, finished at 23.8% last year.
Again, just one of several possible targets for the Cubs , but I wouldn't necessarily put Pressly near the top of the list. Recent trends, age, money and yeah trading for Pressly doesn't look so attractive.
You know, out of the free agents listed by name in The Athletic article, the oldest one has actually been the most consistent in recent years. Yup, David Robertson, who will be 40-years-old in April, has a 2.82 ERA since the start of 2022. That was the veteran's first full healthy year in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2019.
David Robertson 2022-24
2022: 63.2 IP, 2.40 ERA, 30.7 K%, 13.3 BB%, 1.16 WHIP
2023: 65.1 IP, 3.03 ERA, 29.0 K%, 9.3 BB%, 1.19 WHIP
2024: 72 IP, 3.00 ERA, 33.4 K%, 9.1 BB%, 1.11 WHIP
That being said, the age is a concern. The possibility that Robertson falls off a cliff in 2025 is much higher than a pitcher still in his prime. But who knows, maybe the veteran has discovered a new routine, a better plan to stay healthy throughout a long and grueling season and he does have a few more good years in him.
To be fair, that would have been the same concern with signing Yates, who has been good the past few years, but will turn 38 in March.
After missing out on Scott my dream scenario remains trading for San Diego Padres closer Robert Suárez, who is reportedly available. However, outside of fan speculation there has not been a concrete report connecting the Cubs having any serious talks with the Padres for Suárez.
The start of spring training is a few weeks away and at some point the Cubs will have to close on a deal for another high-leverage reliever. It's a must and they have to get it right.
