Astros’ Ryan Pressly takes emphatic stance to squash Cubs trade rumors

The Houston Astros are no strangers to the perils of a no-trade clause in trade negotiations this offseason. Before their deal to send Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, the Astros were extremely close to acquiring Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals before he exercised his no-trade rights to scuttle the deal.

These things happen and as long as guys keep getting no-trade clauses in their contracts, they will keep using them to dictate where they end up. Unfortunately, the Astros are seemingly on the other side of the same coin right now with Ryan Pressly.

Pressly has been a popular candidate to get traded this offseason due to the presence of Josh Hader at the end of games and the decidedly not small amount of money he is making at the moment. Assuming Houston could find a taker for most of his salary, that felt like the move the Astros most wanted to make.

On Thursday, it appeared as though there was momentum towards yet another trade with the Cubs that would have sent Pressly to Chicago. However, it appears as though Pressly is flexing his own muscle when it comes to his no-trade clause.

Ryan Pressly has yet to waive no-trade clause as Cubs rumors swirl

While we don't know exactly how close a potential trade with the Cubs was/is involving Pressly, it is certainly a problem if Pressly won't actually consent to a trade. Unless Pressly agrees to be dealt, he isn't getting dealt. However, his position is probably a bit more fluid than Arenado's.

While Arenado is at the stage of his career where he is fine picking and choosing where he ends up, Pressly is in a situation where he isn't closing anymore and could benefit from an increased role elsewhere. There is a good chance that he isn't rubber stamping any trades until he either gets some sort of guarantee that he will be the guy closing games or some other perks.

We'll see if this is a short-term hiccup or a major hitch in the Astros' plans. The one thing that is clear is that Houston is definitely not done wheeling and dealing this offseason.

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