3 potential Cubs trade targets if the Houston Astros wind up sellers

Ryan Pressly could add late-inning experience to the Chicago bullpen

One particularly rough outing against the Rangers in early April have torpedoed the numbers of Ryan Pressly one month into the 2024 campaign, but there's still a lot to like about the 35-year-old veteran.

Since that April 6 blow-up, the right-hander has made 11 appearances, striking out 17 in 11 innings and working to a 1.64 ERA and 1.16 FIP. With Josh Hader's well-documented early struggles proving costly for Houston, Pressly has continued to be reliable, something he's done consistently over his seven years with the Astros.

Dating back to 2018, the right-hander has notched a pair of All-Star appearances, a sub-1.000 WHIP and a 2.52 FIP. Given the Cubs' issues in the late innings, Pressly could be a perfect fit and prove to be just the man to bring order to a tumultuous Chicago bullpen.

Should he make 50 appearances this season, he'll trigger a guaranteed $14 million option for 2025. Given the plethora of young, cost-controlled arms likely to make up the bulk of the Cubs pen next season and Jed Hoyer will have Hendricks' contract coming off the books, that's a palatable sum - especially given the team's need in the late innings.