The Chicago Cubs have made a significant move in their pursuit of a competitive roster for the upcoming season by acquiring two-time All-Star reliever Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros. Pressly, who was pivotal during the Astros' recent World Series triumph, returns to a closer role after previously losing it to Josh Hader. The Cubs' offseason goal has been to strengthen their bullpen, and securing Pressly is a major step in that direction. The Astros were hesitant to part with Pressly, primarily due to his substantial $14 million salary, which pushed them above the luxury tax threshold.
Last season, Pressly recorded a 3.49 ERA, but this figure was skewed by a rough start to the year; his performance greatly improved with a remarkable 1.99 ERA over his final 32 appearances. Notably, Pressly has an impressive playoff record, boasting 14 career playoff saves and a postseason ERA of 2.78, with only one blown save to his name. This postseason experience makes him a valuable addition for the Cubs as they aim for a deep playoff run.
Following Pressly's acquisition, the Cubs have opted to transition young pitcher Porter Hodge into a setup role, allowing him to continue developing after a solid, albeit brief, stint as a closer last season. The Cubs traded pitching prospect Juan Bello to the Astros in this deal; Bello, an international signing in 2022, has shown promise in the minors with a 3.66 ERA over three seasons. This strategic move underscores the Cubs' commitment to building a formidable bullpen as they target postseason success.
