The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros are in the process of finalizing a trade that would send closer Ryan Pressly to Chicago, pending a medical review. According to reports from ESPN's Jeff Passan, Pressly has agreed to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate the move, while the Astros are expected to provide financial assistance to help cover his $14 million salary.

This trade may open the door for the Astros to pursue a reunion with third baseman Alex Bregman. Astros General Manager Dana Brown indicated that the organization had not anticipated Bregman still being available at this stage of the offseason, which could make a deal feasible. He described the possibility of bringing Bregman back as a long shot but acknowledged ongoing discussions. "We've had some conversations, and I can leave it there. It’s not as if we're not talking about it," Brown stated.

As for Pressly, the 36-year-old pitcher had a challenging 2024 season, recording a 2-3 record with a 3.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, four saves, and 58 strikeouts over 56.2 innings in a setup role. With Josh Hader assuming ninth-inning responsibilities, Pressly's position in Houston's bullpen has become less secure. For the Cubs, he is expected to take on a primary role as the team's closer.