Matt Festa, the right-hander known for his late-season long relief contributions, has re-signed with the Texas Rangers on a minor league deal. The past month has been tumultuous for Festa, who was DFA'd by the Rangers after the signing of Chris Martin, only to be traded to the Chicago Cubs and subsequently DFA'd again after they acquired Jon Berti. Despite these setbacks, Festa is poised to provide the Rangers with additional long relief options in spring training, a necessity given anticipated workload limits for pitchers early in the season.

Festa's journey has been marked by an impressive turnaround since his signing with the Rangers last July, where he initially joined for depth after being released by Seattle. Following a brief release in August, he was re-signed and made his big league debut shortly after, showcasing his potential by pitching 22 1/3 innings with a 4.37 ERA, striking out 23 batters along the way. His reliable performance could be vital for a team looking to solidify its bullpen depth.

The Chicago Cubs have made a significant move by acquiring right-hander Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, along with cash, in exchange for minor league pitcher Juan Bello. This trade is a strategic effort for the Cubs, who aim to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Pressly, who is likely to assume the closer role, had a solid 3.49 ERA over 59 appearances last season as a setup man for Josh Hader.

In a corresponding move, the Cubs designated right-hander Matt Festa for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Pressly.

The Chicago Cubs have made a strategic move by acquiring Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, likely positioning him as their new closer. This acquisition comes as Chicago aims to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Pressly, who posted a 3.49 ERA over 59 games last season, agreed to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal.

In exchange, the Cubs parted with minor league pitcher Juan Bello, a promising 20-year-old who had a solid season at Class A Myrtle Beach. To accommodate Pressly on the roster, the Cubs designated Matt Festa for assignment.

This deal marks the second significant transaction between the Cubs and Astros this offseason, following the earlier acquisition of All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker. Not only does this deal bolster the Cubs' bullpen, but it also provides financial flexibility for the Astros as they consider bringing back free agent Alex Bregman.

The Chicago Cubs have made a strategic move by acquiring reliever Matt Festa from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash. Festa, who previously played for the Texas Rangers, recorded a 6-1 win-loss record with a 5.70 ERA across 18 games last season. He also had a brief stint with the New York Mets.

At 31 years old, Festa brings a wealth of experience to the Cubs, having amassed an 8-3 record with a 4.60 ERA in 108 games over five seasons with various teams, including Seattle and New York. The Rangers recently designated him for assignment after signing fellow reliever Chris Martin to a one-year deal, prompting the Cubs to act quickly.

To accommodate Festa on their 40-man roster, the Cubs designated infielder Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment, making room for their new acquisition as they bolster their bullpen ahead of the upcoming season.