The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs must have their respective phone numbers memorized at this point. Earlier this winter, the Astros sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to the NL Central squad in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes and prospects RHP Hayden Wesneski and 3B Cam Smith, the Cubs first-round pick from the 2024 MLB Draft.

Last night, the two teams seemed to be on the verge of another deal, this time involving Astros reliever Ryan Pressly. Reports from a few different journalists had the two sides coming close to a deal but Pressly holds a no-trade clause as part of his two-year pact that he signed early into the 2022 season, which carried a vesting option for the 2025 season based on appearences (which he hit). This upcoming season, Pressly is owed $14 million.

The right-hander has been a hot topic this winter, as the Astros continue to shuffle things around this offseason with the potential departure of Alex Bregman to free agency and the recent trade of Tucker to Chicago.

Pressly has been with the Astros since 2018 when the club acquired him at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins. Since joining Houston, the Texas product has been one of the top relievers in the game, authoring a 2.81 ERA through 342 games across seven seasons. Through 333 innings, the right-hander has collected 111 saves and posted a 1.027 WHIP to go along with a 2.63 FIP and an 11.1 K/9.

Since 2018, Pressly ranks third in fWAR amongst relievers (9.7) and has struck out 480 batters, putting him 10th on the list. His 111 saves also have him slotted in at the tenth spot while his FIP mark has him ranked in the eighth spot. For his career, Pressly owns a 3.27 ERA across 12 seasons and through 650 innings, he has crafted a 3.16 FIP and a 1.162 WHIP while working at the back end of the bullpen for both the Twins and Astros. In 2018, he made the most appearances of any AL reliever (77) and has two All-Star nominations under his belt (2019 and 2021).

It has yet to be determined if the veteran reliever will waive his no-trade clause and join his former teammate Tucker at Wrigley Field. Should he waive his clause, the Cubs will likely send a solid package of prospects and potentially some veteran talent to the Astros, even with Pressly’s contract expiring at the end of the season.

The ball appears to be in Ryan Pressly’s court. Other teams are reportedly interested in the 36-year-old, including the Blue Jays.