The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros are in the final stages of finalizing their second major trade of the offseason, but the deal hinges on whether Astros reliever Ryan Pressly agrees to waive his no-trade clause. According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Astros have officially requested Pressly’s approval for the trade, leaving the decision in his hands. With the framework for a deal already in place, it’s now up to Pressly, who has the final say due to his no-trade clause.
The 36-year-old reliever has previously declined a trade to the Toronto Blue Jays and expressed a preference not to play on either coast, indicating he is not eager to leave Houston. Given that he and his family have strong ties to the Houston area—where his wife and child reside, and where he himself is originally from Dallas—it’s understandable why Pressly might be reluctant to relocate. However, there is a potential motivating factor that could influence his decision: the opportunity to return to a closer role. Pressly had been an All-Star closer for the Astros but lost that position when the team signed Josh Hader to a large contract, relegating Pressly to a setup role last season. While this adjustment led to some early-season struggles, Pressly ultimately finished the year with a solid 3.49 ERA, showcasing that he still has the ability to perform at a high level. If the trade to the Cubs goes through, he would almost certainly be given the closer role, which could be an attractive prospect for Pressly, though if the trade falls apart, the Cubs might look to Porter Hodge as an alternative.
