Amid Cubs rumors, Pressly has not waived no-trade clause (source)

HOUSTON -- The Astros have discussed a deal that would send reliever Ryan Pressly to the Cubs, but a source told MLB.com that Pressly has yet to waive his no-trade clause despite a report that a trade was “on the verge” of being completed Thursday night.

Pressly is entering the final year of a contract that will pay him $14 million and has a full no-trade clause based on his 10-5 rights. The Astros, who last year acquired Josh Hader to take Pressly’s role as closer, would like to shed the right-hander's contract to free up some money to add another bat to their lineup, preferably in the outfield. The source said other teams have reached out to the Astros about Pressly.

The Cubs were runners-up to the Dodgers for the services of reliever Tanner Scott and have been tied to free agents Carlos Estévez, Kyle Finnegan and David Robertson, among others. The Cubs need a closer and have money to spend on the pitching side after trading outfielder Cody Bellinger -- and most of his $52.5 million remaining salary -- to the Yankees.

Pressly, 36, was acquired by the Astros during the 2018 season and transitioned into the role of closer in 2020, saving 111 games for Houston. An All-Star in 2019 and 2021, he converted his first 14 save chances in the playoffs prior to last year, including the clinching Game 6 of the 2022 World Series.

Pressly blew his first career postseason save in last year’s Game 2 loss in the American League Wild Card Series to the Tigers in Houston by giving up three runs, two hits and one walk in two-thirds of an inning. He has a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 47 career playoff games.

Last year, Pressly appeared in 59 games for Houston and posted a 3.49 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with a 114 ERA+ while moving into a setup role. His curveball spin rate of 3,258 rpm ranked in the 99^th percentile among Major League pitchers, according to Baseball Savant.

The Astros and Cubs pulled off a blockbuster deal in December. Houston sent All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs in exchange for three players -- infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and infield prospect Cam Smith, who’s ranked 73rd overall by MLB Pipeline and is Houston’s top-ranked prospect entering 2025.

Pressly played five seasons in the Red Sox system before he was taken by the Twins in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft. He was a big part of the Twins’ bullpen from 2013-18, posting a 3.75 ERA -- and one save -- in 317 innings pitched before the Astros traded for him to bolster their bullpen. Pressly possessed one of the highest spin rates in Major League Baseball, which is what the Astros liked about him.