World Series-Winning Closer Accepts Trade to Cubs

World Series-winning closer Ryan Pressly has waived his no-trade clause with the Houston Astros and has accepted a trade to become the new closer for the Chicago Cubs.

According to Bob Nightengale, the Detroit Tigers also had a deal done to acquire Pressly, but the relief pitcher blocked the trade. On Sunday, ESPN's Jeff Passan broke the news that Pressly indeed accepted the trade to the Cubs.

The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a trade to acquire closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, pending medical review, sources tell ESPN. Pressly will waive his no-trade clause to Chicago to facilitate the move, and Houston will send money to help cover his $14 million salary.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 26, 2025

The 36-year-old became Houston's full-time closer in 2020, and only lost his job following the 2023 season when the Astros signed free-agent reliever Josh Hader. From 2020-23, Pressly recorded 102 saves and struck out 249 batters in 198.2 innings of work. The right-hander posted a 2.99 ERA during that four-season span and performed at a high level in the postseason, highlighted by his 2022 playoff run in which Pressly saved six games and did not allow a single earned run in 11 inning en route to a World Series ring.

Pressly's 2024 season has given fans some pause on how effective he'll be with the Cubs. The veteran lost velocity on his fastball and his strikeout rate decreased to its lowest mark since 2016. Overall, Pressly finished the 2024 season with a 3.49 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 56.2 innings.

Not to completely write off his total results, but Pressly did show that after a rough opening month in 2024, he still found a way to get the job done in high-leverage spots. The righty had an 8.31 ERA in his first 8.2 innings of the 2024 season, four of the eight earned runs came in one outing against the Texas Rangers on April 6.

From April 24-Aug. 2, Pressly posted a 2.12 ERA in 34 innings. Then, he hit another rough patch that led to a stint on the 15-day injured list in the middle of August. He returned at the end of the month and ended the year with a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings.

(Previous Update)

Well, it looks like the Chicago Cubs are nearing a deal to acquire their new closer. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Cubs and Houston Astros are getting close to working out a trade that will send veteran reliever Ryan Pressly to Chicago.

Earlier this week The Athletic reported that Pressly was among one of several high-leverage bullpen arms the Cubs were targeting after losing out on Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.

The Chicago Cubs on verge of acquiring closer Ryan Pressly from the Astros

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 23, 2025

Details of this trade might be tricky and the biggest hurdle is that Pressly has a no-trade clause. The 36-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the Astros and has a full no-trade clause.

According to an Astros' beat reporter, Pressly has not waived that no-trade clause yet.

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, 2025

Pressly, a two-time All-Star and World Series champion with the Astros is owed $14 million for the 2025 season.

The right-handed reliever has 112 career saves with most of his closing experience coming from 2021-23, when he recorded 90 saves with the Astros. Pressly has a career 3.27 ERA in 650 MLB innings and has pitched well in the postseason, recording a 2.78 ERA in 47 playoff games.

In 2024, Pressly pitched in 59 games and had a 3.49 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 56.2 innings pitched as the set-up man for Josh Hader in Houston.

So, we'll see what comes from these conflicting reports. My guess is that Nightengale probably jumped the gun here, but a trade will eventually be finalized between the Cubs and Astros.