The Chicago Cubs have been putting together a team fit to make a legitimate playoff run. In that pursuit, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and his staff have said they are “all in.”
One move in particular demonstrates the stated plan to be aggressive in reaching for that goal of post-season play. The acquisition of Houston Astros star outfielder Kyle Tucker via trade sent a clear message to the rest of the NL Central Division that the Cubs were serious about winning.
Chicago Cubs, Not “All In” Everywhere
In other areas, however, people could point to Chicago not necessarily being “all in.”
The bullpen is one of those weak spots from last season that the Cubs haven’t really addressed all that much. Aside from a trade for the Cleveland Guardians’ Eli Morgan, a one-year free agent deal with Minnesota Twins lefty Caleb Thielbar, and some minor depth pieces, there hasn’t be much work in building the team’s relief corps.
A proven, consistent closer, specifically, is a need the Cubs have. The 23-year-old Porter Hodge served in that capacity over the second half of 2024 and accounted well for himself. But he IS 23 and if a team is serious about a playoff run, they need an established presence in that most important role.
There are several high-end closers available via free agency this offseason, but the Cubs have, by all accounts, been lukewarm when it comes to dipping into the free agency market.
A Possible Low-Risk Trade Solution
Mike Axisa of CBS Sports, however, has a possible solution to the Cubs dilemma that involves another trade with the Astros.
Houston’s Ryan Pressly has reportedly been shopped around and may still be available via trade.
Axisa thinks Pressly might be an ideal fit for the Cubs.
The Astros’ one-time closer was replaced last season by Josh Hader and the team, which has been looking to cut costs, would likely prefer not to have a $14 million setup man weighing down their payroll.
Can It Happen?
The Cubs, on the other hand, might be willing to pay that price for a closer, especially one who is not a multi-year proposition. Pressly will become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season and that fits perfectly with the Cubs’ perceived preference for not grabbing at big-ticket relievers on multi-year deals.
Pressly is 36, but his numbers have not declined all that much. He performed solidly in the closer role for the Astros from 2020 to 2023 and has been a quality bullpen asset since 2018. 2024 saw him look a bit flat, but that could easily be attributed to coping with his new secondary role in the bullpen he once headed. A move to Chicago, where he could once again be THE man, might inject some new life into him. Axisa believes that the Diamondbacks, Mets, and Royals are also potential landing spots for Pressly.
Jon Conahan of SI.com believes Chicago could reasonably expect to get him for the small price of just “two average prospects.”
Pressly has a no trade clause in his contract, so he can nix any deal he doesn’t want and he seems happy to stay in Texas. However, a trade to a division contender where he could once again be a closer and head off into free agency looking for closer money rather than setup man money, might make him overlook that clause.
The deal does make sense, though. It’s something the Cubs might want to at least explore.
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