7:37 p.m.: The Nightengale reports that the Tigers are out of commission. If Pressly agrees to move, it is expected to be with the Cubs.
6:57 p.m.: The Astros have officially asked Ryan Pressly whether he would approve a trade to the Cubs, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. KPRC 2’s Ari Alexander reports that they have also asked the reliever if he would accept a deal with the Tigers. Chandler Rome, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic first reported this afternoon that the Tigers were in talks with Houston about Pressly.
In any case, it seems the ball is firmly in Pressly’s court. Bob Nightengale of USA Today writes that the Astros have reached a “tentative” deal with at least one of those teams, apparently with a clause to waive the no-trade clause. Bruce Levine of 670 The Score suggests that the Cubs feel that holding on to no-trade protection is “solvable.”
Pressly has full non-trade protection as a player with at least 10 years of MLB service and five or more years of service with his current team. He grew up in the Dallas area and has moved to Houston since the 2018 trade deadline. His wife Katharine is a native of Houston. There is no question that he and his family simply prefer to live there.
Combined with 110 appearances during 2023-24, which created a $14MM buyout option in his contract. That’s probably a little above market value but it’s not. José Leclerc again Andrew Kittredge each signed $10MM free agent contracts this winter. Blake Treinensix months older than Pressly, he came in two years at $11MM per year.
After serving as Houston’s closer between 2020-23, Pressly stepped into the setup role last year. That was the answer to their late extension strike Josh Hader on a five-year free agent deal. He had a solid season, working to a 3.49 earned run average in 56 2/3 innings. Pressly’s strikeout rate dipped to a league-high 23.8% — his lowest mark since his breakout 2018 — but he posted a solid 7.4% walk rate while striking out 25 balls.
The Cubs and Tigers have both been exploring the closer market. Each will likely give Pressly a chance to return to the ninth inning. Chicago has a few pitchers with little experience (eg Porter Hodge, Nate Pearson, Tyson Miller) who could compete for savings. It’s the same story in Detroit, there Beau Brieske, Jason Foley, The Will Vest again Tyler Holton they are part of what can be done as a close group and committee. The Tigers have a strong relief corps but rely heavily on their bullpen in non-start games Tarik Skubal. Adding Compression will strengthen the back end. He is a familiar sight of captain AJ Hinch, who managed him in Houston during 2018-19.
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