It was just reported that Pressly watched Die Hard today with his family. Obviously this means he's okay with going to Chicago. Die Hard - Bruce Willis - Willis Tower - Chicago - Cubs
He’s not. Ryan Pressly is only getting traded if it makes the Astros better, whether that’s resigning Bregman or the trade enables them to get a solid starting outfielder. Crane and Brown aren’t trading a high-leverage reliever with the experience Pressly has simply to get under the CBT.
I firmly believe the Astros are already under the CBT (probably by somewhere between $2M and $6M). But even under the most pessimistic estimates they don’t need to clear $14M to get under; you’re right, there’s zero chance they trade Pressly unless they have a firm plan to add to the roster elsewhere. And at this point there’s enough smoke around Bregman (and enough lack of other obvious options for improving the roster) that the odds favor that being the move.
Passan is reporting the trade is done, pending Pressley’s medical. Didn’t say who’s coming back the other way
I’m guessing this gives us the breathing room to sign Verdugo to a 1-2 year deal. As unsexy as that is I think this is the most realistic outcome.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bello-002jua Juan bello https://northsidebound.com/2024/05/15/prospect-profile-juan-bello-looking-like-he-might-be-a-guy/
I believe the entire JV salary counted against the CBT threshold even though we white money from the Mets. Could be wrong though…
The cash may not necessarily be tied to Pressly, only contributing toward the trade. That would mean that Pressly's full $14 mil is off the books for the Astros this season (and since the season hasn't started yet there's no prorate of that salary).
This is my understanding as well. If we are correct, why don’t we just trade Montero to the Marlins or someone for some crap prospect and send them $11M cash?
The Astros did not trade Ryan Pressly for a prospect to sign Alex Verdugo. Most likely this signals Bregman’s return. If that doesn’t happen, it gives them flexibility to trade for a solid outfielder or see if Arenado has changed his mind about the Astros after they signed Christian Walker.
