The Astros-Ryan Pressly divorce may have been in the works since last winter.
Houston general manager Dana Brown admitted Tuesday that his relationship with the closer “took a slightly different turn” when the franchise signed Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million contract a year ago, pushing Pressly into a setup man role.
“Any time you take a major-league player out of a role where they feel comfortable, it’s going to fracture your relationship some,” Brown said, according to The Athletic. “I think we continued to communicate. He was a true professional and I kept it real as a true professional myself. Ultimately, I wouldn’t say (the relationship) was the same as (when) we first met, but I think there was some frustration, which I totally understand from a competitor.”
Discontent between the pair “lingered throughout the year,” sources told the outlet, although Pressly never spoke out or went public with his frustrations.
Pressly was dealt to the Cubs earlier this week after a days-long standoff while the pitcher initially refused to waive his no-trade clause.
The Astros sent $5.5 million to Chicago to help cover his $14 million salary, receiving right-handed pitching prospect Juan Bello in return.
In 2024, Pressly recorded a 3.49 ERA in 59 outings.
Across six-plus seasons in Houston, he posted a 2.81 ERA with 111 saves and 11.1 strikeouts-per-nine-innings, making two All-Star teams and playing a big role out of the bullpen to help the Astros win the 2022 World Series.
Pressly will likely return to the closer role in Chicago, which as a team blew 26 saves last year.
“Pressly has been a true professional. He accepted the role even though he felt like he still could close,” Brown said. Tuesday. “I know he’s going to get the opportunity to close in Chicago.”
