The Astros have been pretty spoiled at closer, but there are lots of teams where Pressly would probably slot in as closer - whether teams would be willing to pay him, not really sure. But Milwaukee, Baltimore, Detroit, Arizona, etc all have questions at the back end of their bullpens and all want to be contenders.
Megill was fine in the role last year until Devin came back and they aren't going to trade for a closer after sending out Devin Williams. I'd imagine Felix Bautista is back for Baltimore. Detroit has plenty of options - their bullpen carried them into the playoffs and then shut us down. Plenty of guys with nasty stuff there. Arizona is the only one I can realistically see out of those teams and we would have to eat the salary while having them agree to send us a worthy prospect.
It is his right and it is something that was collectively bargained for by the players - and he has that right for a reason. I think it is annoying because he asked to be traded last season - and he has asked to close for another team - but now he is trying to leverage it into an extension. He has the right to do that though, and the Astros knew that when they extended him and signed Hader - and perhaps if his agent concludes that he cannot get an extension, he agrees to a trade. I don't know that a 1 year extension is impossible - but it makes it really difficult depending on the amount, and it limits the teams possibly in the market - couple that with him being selective with where he wants to go. The Astros are limited in being able to go after the guy in Baltimore because of that issue - but I am not sure that is a good signing anyway, lots of holes in his bat. At this point they are still talking to teams and Pressly - but the most likely "positive" outcome for the Astros is trading for an outfielder.
There is interest in Pressly around the league and that is by good teams - and there are teams that want him to close. The problem is that Pressly is very particular about where he will go and he wants an extension tacked onto his deal - that makes it a lot harder. Why would he approve a trade? Well, he wanted one last year. The teams that have asked about Pressly are some of the best teams - but so many things have to line up to make a deal based on what Pressly is demanding.
The Phillies, Red Sox, Toronto, Cubs, Dodgers and Diamondbacks all want late inning pitching.... the Rangers do as well, but I don't think they would deal with the Astros.
Are these good teams that have interest the same ones that want him to close? If there is someone like the DBacks willing to trade for him and let him close, I'm surprised he isn't jumping on that chance.
The Astros are not really asking for a lot for Pressly. They at this point mostly want to get off his money so they can move Caratini and make a strong offer for Santander. We will see what happens - I think the most likely outcome is that Pressly is in the pen for the Astros and is possibly dealt at the deadline. However, it is also possible that Pressly concludes that there is not going to be an extension but wants to close elsewhere.
Yes - there are a few teams at least that want to trade for him and let him close. I think at this point he wants to know where he will be beyond this season if he is traded.... and that means an extra year tacked onto his deal.
Reds just traded for Gavin Lux. Wouldn’t surprise me if they turned around and sent one their other young infielders to Seattle for Castillo.
The Rangers are certainly one, but like @Nook said, it is an unlikely destination, despite it probably being the best place for Pressly. Toronto and Boston still need closers. Detroit possibly.
Pressley should just accept a trade, play out the season, and then sign with the rangers as a free agent.
https://www.mlb.com/news/predicting-world-series-winners-2025-2034 If anyone wants a laugh, this is the top article on MLB.com right now. Predicting the next 10 WS winners. My personal favorite is the As over Rockies one.
Sounds a lot like some of the “5 year outlook” or prognosticating about future prospects discussions in here, lol. Baseball always gets slow this time of the year… but for some reason, this off-season has all the excitement of watching a bag of microwave popcorn.
