CHICAGO -- The Cubs are finalizing a trade to acquire closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, pending medical review, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Sunday.
Pressly will waive his no-trade clause to facilitate the move, and Houston will send money to help cover his $14 million salary, the sources told Passan.
Pressly, 36, likely becomes the Cubs' closer, a role he held with Houston from 2021-2023 before the team signed Josh Hader to a long-term contract. The veteran righty has 112 saves with a 3.27 ERA compiled over his 12-year career which included six seasons in Minnesota.
Pressly joins a bullpen that blew 26 saves last season as the Cubs are looking to make a playoff push in 2025. Chicago hasn't been to the postseason since 2020, working without an established closer over the course of the last few years.
Righty Adbert Alzolay was ineffective last season then got injured, eventually needing Tommy John surgery. Porter Hodge, 23, finished the season in the closer's role, but the team wanted more experience and depth on the back end.
The Cubs pursued lefty Tanner Scott before he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last weekend, according to league sources, but they were less interested in the other free agent closers, settling for Pressly who has one year left on a three-year, $42 million contract signed before the 2023 season.
Pressly joins newcomers Eli Morgan, Cody Poteet, Matt Festa, Caleb Thielbar and Rob Zastryzny in the Cubs bullpen.
The trade likely concludes the bulk of the Cubs winter moves.