"Ugly Dilemma" In Houston, As Ryan Pressly Reluctant to Waive No-Trade Clause

The Houston Astros appear to be on the verge of completing a trade of former closer Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs, but first they have to get the star reliever to waive his no-trade clause, which he is reticent to do.

The ball is now in Ryan Pressly’s court. The Astros have asked the relief star if he will approve a trade to the Cubs. Pressly has full no-trade and never wanted to leave Houston, where he and his family live year-round. But he may find the Cubs and a return to closing enticing.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 24, 2025

As reported by insider Jon Heyman, "The ball is now in Ryan Pressly’s court..." Pressly has a full no-trade clause and does not want to leave his home in Houston. He and his family live there year-round and enjoy a Texas tax-free environment on his $14 million salary for the coming season. That wouldn't be the case in Chicago.

Pressly has been a dominant end-game reliever for the Astros, but there's a method to the team's madness of wanting to deal him.

If the Houston Astros trade Ryan Pressly and his $14 million salary, it opens the door for the return to Alex Bregman. They have a 6-year, $156 million offer that remains on the table.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 25, 2025

As noted by Bob Nightengale, freeing up that $14M allows the Astros to have a chance at retaining their star free agent Alex Bregman. There's a 6-year, $156 million offer on the table, but the Stros need to free up some money to make it happen.

With Josh Hader as their closer in 2024 and going forward, Pressly's role reverted to being a set-up man, after compiling 90 saves for Houston from 2021 through 2023. Heyman wonders if a return to the closer's role would be enough to entice Pressly to uproot his family and head to the Windy City.

The New York Post calls the situation an "ugly dilemma," and says the saga "could be reaching a breaking point."

We'll keep an eye on this evolving situation.