Ryan Pressly DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro reports that veteran right-hander reliever Ryan Pressly was told he will close some games his new team, the Chicago Cubs, in 2025. Pressly also added that he will head into spring training in February competing for the ninth-inning role after Porter Hodge filled in admirably in the closer role in 2024. Pressly thinks both he and Hodge will be a "pretty dynamic duo" at the back end of the Cubs' bullpen. The 36-year-old Pressly should probably be considered the favorite for saves in Chicago just because of his experience factor, but he should be considered a low-end fantasy closer after showing clear signs of decline the last several years in Houston. He did pick up 25 holds as a setup man for the Astros in 2024, but his strikeout and walk rates and velocity have been trending down, and he'll be an injury risk as well.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Chicago Cubs have acquired Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly in exchange for right-handed pitcher Juan Bello. The Astros will also be covering some of Pressly's salary. Earlier this week, several teams attempted to acquire the former closer, but Pressly did not waive his no-trade clause. However, Pressly agreed to the deal to send him to the Northside. Seeing that Pressly waived his no-trade clause suggests the Cubs will likely give him ninth-inning duties to open the campaign. In addition, this transaction does open the door for Alex Bregman to return to Houston. Last season, Pressly operated primarily as a setup man for Josh Hader. Across 56 1/3 innings of work, the 36-year-old posted a 3.49 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He struck out 58 batters and tallied 25 holds. Fantasy managers should expect Pressly to see most of the save opportunities with Porter Hodge reverting to the setup role.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Detroit Tigers will not acquire Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly. Nightengale noted that Pressly could either waive his trade clause to be the Chicago Cubs' closer or remain in Houston in a setup role. However, the Tigers are out of the running. The Tigers have been active in the relief pitcher market and have been linked to other options, such as Carlos Estevez. Last season, Pressly held a 3.49 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP across 56 2/3 innings. He struck out 58 batters and tallied 25 holds, operating as the go-to option in the eighth inning. Last season, Jason Foley saw most of the save opportunities as he tallied 28 saves with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He is currently slated to return to that role, with Tyler Holton operating as the No.2 option.

The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that Houston Astros right-handed reliever Ryan Pressly, who is being shopped by the Astros this offseason, has a full no-trade clause and has told the team that he does not want to go to the East or West coast. It means that he wouldn't approve a trade to the Toronto Blue Jays, one of the team's reportedly pursuing him. Pressly has not committed either way to the Chicago Cubs, who were reportedly close to acquiring him on Thursday. The 36-year-old is scheduled to make $14 million in 2024 and showed obviously signs of decline while both his strikeout and walk rates went the wrong way, so the Astros are more than likely going to have to eat some salary in order to work out a trade. Although Pressly isn't getting any younger, a trade to Chicago would almost certainly make him the Cubs' primary closer in 2025.

USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale reports that the Chicago Cubs are on the verge of acquiring right-handed reliever Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros. It would be the second trade the two clubs have pulled off this offseason, with the Cubs landing All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Astros in exchange for infielders Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith. As things currently stand, Porter Hodge is the favorite to open the 2025 season a the Cubs' primary closer, so it's no surprise the team has been actively looking to improve the back end of their bullpen. If Chicago does acquire Pressly, he'd immediately become the favorite for closer duties on the north side. The 36-year-old was a setup man in Houston in 2024 after Josh Hader arrived, and he had 25 holds (12th-most in baseball). Although Pressly's walk and strikeout rates declined, his fantasy stock would be boosted as a closer again if he joins the Cubs.