Ryan Pressly’s journey with the Astros has come to an end with his no-trade clause waived. His journey of six years with the Astros was well-decorated and included a World Series title as well but he parted ways with the team seemingly on a negative note. Not an expected turn considering Pressly and the Astros both uphold their professional commitments above all, but unfortunately, it happened. Pressly was acting as a closer with the Astros removing him from the position to place a new signee is where the issue started. 

Reportedly, Pressly was not willing to leave Astros but stripping off his staple position is what made him look for the Cubs. The Astros GM Dana Brown has now come up with a clarification about what made the fallout between them even though he acknowledged Pressly’s contribution to the team. Remember the Astros signed Jose Hader? The fallout started from there and ended up with two entities parting away. So what made the Astros strip off Pressly’s position? Is now Pressly heading for a better opportunity? 

Moving Pressly out from his position

Pressly played a total of six years with the Astros as a closer and amassed 3.49 ERA, 4 Saves, and 58 SO from 59 games in 2024. In comparison, Hader ended his 2024 with a 3.80 ERA, 105 SO, and 12 HR. While Pressly is ahead in terms of ERA, it is Hader who made the most by having the most SO while also adding homers as well. This made the Astros think Hader was of better value than Ryan Pressly as the closer. However, is this the only reason behind stripping Pressly of his position? 

The Astros GM thinks so. “Any time you take a major-league player out of a role where they feel comfortable, it’s going to fracture your relationship some”, he said on his severed relationship with Pressly. The player who was playing for the last six years in the same position and credited for the World Series title will surely not feel comfortable stripping off his position. From the Astros’ POV, signing Hader helped them to strengthen the back of the bullpen, which seems more required compared to changing Pressly’s position. 

Apart from this, Alex Bregman can be another reason for moving away from Ryan Pressly. Bregman is still in free agency commanding a huge price and letting Pressly go can offer some financial scope for the team. For the unversed, Pressly was about to get $14 million for one year and the Astros are offering $5.5 million to the Cubs to absorb some of his salary. Hence, the Astros are still left with $8.5 million, which will be beneficial in getting new names. What’s then left for Pressly going ahead?

How will Pressly press on?

Pressly is heading to the Cubs and reportedly they are going to place him at the closer. Even though he was not willing to leave the Astros, getting his staple position is what made him relook at his no-trade clause. The Cubs were in contention for bullpen help since Tanner Scott went for the Dodgers and the veteran Pressly is the right player to fill the gap. Getting Pressly for $8.5 million is also a bargain for the Cubs and majorly a win-win situation for them. 

For the Astros, they got minor league pitcher Juan Bello who is coming with a 3.21 ERA from last season. The Astros seemingly focused on getting young talents for future buildups while still eyeing Bregman. While adding Bello with the veteran Hader will spruce up their pitching rotation, the hitting squad can also be contending if Bregman can be landed, and in all these plannings, Ryan Pressly got no space and ended up with the Cubs. 

Trading of Pressly is mutually beneficial for both him and the Astros as he can excel in his staple position this year, while the Astros can proceed with their objective with or without Bregman.