Report: Josh Hader Was Reason For Ryan Pressly Trade By Astros
Hader’s arrival pushed Pressly, who had recorded 90 saves between 2021 and 2023, into a setup role—a move that General Manager Dana Brown admitted "fractured" their relationship.
“You’re moving a guy out of a position who felt like he didn’t deserve to lose his job,” Brown explained. Though Pressly initially expressed support, the transition weighed heavily on him, affecting his performance and morale.
He ended the season with just four saves and a 3.49 ERA in 59 appearances, a stark contrast to his dominant tenure as the team’s closer.
Dana Brown acknowledged his relationship with Ryan Pressly "took a different turn" after the Astros signed Josh Hader last year. Brown used the word "fractured" and said "it wasn't the same as we first met."
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) January 28, 2025
By the offseason, the tension became untenable.
Pressly, still under contract, informed the Astros he would waive his no-trade clause only for the right deal. Brown ultimately traded him to the Chicago Cubs for pitching prospect Juan Bello, citing the need to resolve their strained dynamic and prioritize future roster development.
While praising Pressly’s professionalism, Brown admitted the situation was challenging. “Pressly has been a true professional. He accepted the role even though he felt like he still could close,” Brown said.
Ryan Pressly handled with class his demotion from closer to setup last season when the Astros acquired Josh Hader. Every Astros fan wishes him the very best.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 26, 2025
Hader, who logged 34 saves with a 3.80 ERA in his first season with Houston, was brought in to bolster the bullpen but unintentionally signaled the end of Pressly’s role as closer.
While the Astros envisioned a dominant bullpen duo, the move left Pressly feeling displaced. His trade to Chicago gives him the chance to reclaim a closer role but marks an unceremonious end to his successful seven-year stint in Houston, where he played a pivotal role in multiple postseason runs, including a World Series championship.
Photo Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
