Astros trade Pressly to Cubs for pitching prospect

The Chicago Cubs acquired former All-Star closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros for pitching prospect Juan Bello, the clubs announced Tuesday.

Pressly waived his no-trade clause for the deal with the Cubs.

Houston is also sending money to Chicago to help cover Pressly's $14-million salary for 2025, a source told Chander Rome of The Athletic.

Pressly will receive an assignment bonus to cover the tax difference plus a new full no-trade clause from the Cubs, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

The 36-year-old reliever reportedly nixed a trade to the Detroit Tigers before eventually deciding to approve a move to Chicago.

The addition of Pressly will not stop the Cubs from signing other free-agent relievers, a source told Rome, Sahadev Sharma, and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.

Meanwhile, Houston may now have more financial flexibility to re-sign Alex Bregman in free agency, as the team was around $3 million over the first luxury tax threshold prior to the reported Pressly trade. General manager Dana Brown confirmed the club had internal conversations about bringing back the third baseman.

Pressly posted a 3.49 ERA with 1.34 WHIP and 58 strikeouts over 59 appearances in 2024. The right-hander owns a 2.81 ERA with 111 saves and 11.1 K/9 over the last seven years with the Astros, which include two All-Star nods and a 2022 World Series ring.

Bello, 20, authored a 3.21 ERA with 91 strikeouts over 89 2/3 innings (22 starts) in Single-A last season.