Ryan Pressly's time in Houston might be on the clock. According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Astros are exploring the idea of trading away their seasoned setup man.
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It's not just idle chatter — the Astros are looking at the books, and with only $10 million separating them from the first luxury tax threshold, cutting salary could be the motivation behind such a move.
Pressly, turning 36 next month, has been a mainstay in Houston since 2018. He's been an All-Star twice, a 2022 World Series champion, and holds the MLB record for consecutive scoreless appearances at 40.
In other words, Pressly isn't just another arm in the bullpen; he's the arm. Trading him would be a bold decision and one that signals change is truly underway in Houston.
However, there's a significant hurdle: Pressly's full no-trade clause. He has the final say on any move, meaning the Astros need not only to find a suitor willing to take on his contract but also to convince Pressly himself. The bullpen anchor's future could hinge on whether he sees an opportunity worth seizing outside of Texas.
"The Astros have had internal discussions about trading setup man Ryan Pressly, according to two people briefed on the conversations, perhaps a signal that Brown is exploring avenues to get further away from the luxury tax,' Rome wrote. "Most outside approximations put the Astros around $10 million below the first threshold when accounting for their projected arbitration salaries."
With the Astros missing the ALCS for the first time since 2016, the winds of change are sweeping through the clubhouse. If Pressly ends up waiving his no-trade clause, it could be the latest sign that Houston is shifting gears, moving on from familiar faces in a bid to retool for the future.
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