How Astros could be on verge of biggest free agent swerve of the offseason
FA SWERVE!
22h
Are more Breggy bombs on the horizon in H-Town? Composite Getty Image.
Just when we thought free agency couldn't get any wilder, this happens! Astros GM Dana Brown spoke to the media over the weekend and kept the door cracked for a possible Alex Bregman return.
Then Jose Altuve volunteered to switch positions and head to left field if the club is able to secure a reunion with Breggy. And that's not all, the Astros traded Ryan Pressly to the Cubs on Sunday, which gave the 'Stros $8.5 million of salary relief.
A move that has the club now under the first tax threshold, something owner Jim Crane has reportedly been in favor of.
Now the ball is in Bregman's court. If the club signs Bregman, they will exceed the first tax threshold, but not the second one. It appears Crane would only consider a move like this for a franchise favorite like Breggy.
And while bringing back Bregman would give the offense a boost, there are legitimate concerns about what this would mean for the defense. Altuve's lack of experience and arm strength in the outfield can't be ignored.
But considering Altuve's decline at second base, a change of position could have been necessary at some point anyway.
A bit of caution
At the end of the day, we have to accept the possibility that this is all a negotiating tactic from agent Scott Boras to regain leverage against other teams looking to sign Bregman.
On the mend
Astros GM Dana Brown shared positive updates on Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers. They won't be ready to start the season, but if they continue progressing, the club expects them back shortly after the season begins.
While it's fair to be skeptical about McCullers, who hasn't pitched for Houston since 2022, he does possess serious upside if he can finally get healthy. Keep in mind, he's pitched well throughout his career. It's the injuries that have held him back.
How much will they miss Pressly?
Make no mistake about it, Pressly was one of three rock solid options in the bullpen. Now that he's gone, who will fill his shoes? Tayler Scott was surprisingly great in 2024, but can he repeat that success again?
Don't miss the video above as the crew from Stone Cold 'Stros breaks it all down!
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Cubs finalize trade and compensation with Astros for reliever Ryan Pressly
Jan 28, 2025, 3:26 pm
The Chicago Cubs acquired right-hander Ryan Pressly and cash from the Houston Astros on Tuesday for minor league pitcher Juan Bello.
Pressly likely slides into the closer's role with Chicago, which is looking to go back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. He had a 3.49 ERA in 59 appearances last year while serving as a setup man for Josh Hader.
The 20-year-old Bello went 4-5 with a 3.21 ERA in 22 starts for Class A Myrtle Beach last year. He is 4-8 with a 3.66 ERA in 35 career minor league games.
To make room for Pressly on the 40-man roster, Chicago designated right-hander Matt Festa for assignment. Festa, 31, was acquired in a trade with Texas on Jan. 9.
The Pressly move is the second major offseason deal between Chicago and Houston. The Cubs added All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a multiplayer trade with the Astros in December.
Pressly waived his no-trade clause to go to Chicago. He had the right to block the deal because of his 12 years in the majors and six-plus seasons with Houston.
Chicago had been searching for bullpen help since it went 83-79 and finished second in the NL Central in 2024 for the second straight season. It was reportedly in the mix for Tanner Scott before he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cubs are paying $8.5 million of Pressly's $14 million salary for 2025 in the last year of his contract.
Pressly's departure provides some financial flexibility for Houston that it could use to make a renewed push for a reunion with free agent third baseman Alex Bregman. It also could look to upgrade its outfield.
Hader replaced Pressly as Houston’s closer after he agreed to a $95 million, five-year contract last January. He had a 3.80 ERA and 34 saves in 71 games as the Astros won the AL West for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
With the Pressly trade, Bryan Abreu and Tayler Scott each could take on a more prominent role in Houston’s bullpen.
Pressly, a 36-year-old Dallas native, made his big league debut with Minnesota in 2013 and spent his first five-plus seasons with the Twins. He was traded to Houston in July 2018.
Pressly rose to prominence with the Astros, becoming one of baseball’s best relievers. The two-time All-Star had a streak of 40 consecutive games without allowing a run from Aug. 15, 2018, to May 23, 2019.
He was a key performer when Houston won the franchise’s second World Series title in 2022. He had a career-high 33 saves with a 2.98 ERA during the regular season, and then went on a dominant run in the playoffs. He saved six postseason games, striking out 13 while allowing an unearned run and four hits in 11 innings over 10 appearances.
Pressly is 35-36 with a 3.27 ERA and 112 saves in 623 major league games. He also has 693 strikeouts and 190 walks in 650 innings.
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