(670 The Score) The Cubs have strengthened their bullpen and appear to have found their closer.
Chicago is set to acquire righty reliever Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros after he decided to waive his no-trade clause, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported Sunday afternoon. The 36-year-old Pressly is a 12-year MLB veteran with a career 3.27 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Pressly had a 3.49 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 59 appearances in 2024.
The trade was still pending a medical review. Pressly is owed $14 million in 2025, after which he’s set to hit free agency. The Cubs will only pay $8.5 million of that salary, while the Astros will pick up the rest, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported.
To land Pressly, the Cubs will send Class-A right-hander Juan Bello to the Astros, according to reports. The 20-year-old Bello has a 3.66 ERA across three minor league seasons.
Pressly held a no-trade clause due to his 10-and-5 rights but chose to waive it after deliberating for a couple days. His desire is to close games, according to reports, a role that wasn't available in Houston, which has star Josh Hader handling the ninth inning. The Cubs have an opening in the closer's role, and Pressly is now set to fill it.
Pressly has extensive closing experience, having led the Astros in saves from 2020 to 2023 before Houston acquired Hader ahead of the 2024 season. Pressly has 112 saves in his career.