Rumored Ryan Pressly trade immediately shut down following Bob Nightengale gaffe

For a five-minute stretch on Thursday, it seemed that the Chicago Cubs were going to address the need they have at the backend of their bullpen.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today had a report that suggested the Cubs were nearing a trade that was going to send Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly to Chicago,

Pressly was among the relief pitchers the Cubs were reportedly evaluating in the aftermath of losing out on Tanner Scott this past weekend. Pressly has one year remaining on his contract with the Astros, earning just over $14MM for the 2025 season. Reports this offseason have been that the Astros are shopping Pressly, but it's easier said than done, given that the veteran reliever holds a no-trade clause in his contract.

To that point, The Athletic's Chandler Rome reports that Pressly has yet to waive his no-trade clause and there is no deal imminent.

Chicago Cubs in the center of latest Ryan Pressly trade rumor.

Rome is as locked into the Astros' beat as anyone, so chances are Nightengale was overzealous in reporting that a trade between the two teams was nearing. Following up on the reporting from Rome and Nightengale, Jon Heyman chimed in as well.

Hopes of a trade aren't fully dead but it certainly does not sound like one is close. It's possible that the Cubs and Astros have a framework of a trade in place, and are now waiting for the medicals to come back before approaching Pressly with the details. Nevertheless, this is something to monitor for the Cubs in the days ahead.

The market is moving for relief pitchers as this past week saw Scott and Kirby Yates sign deals with the Dodgers. Earlier on Thursday, FanSided's Robert Murray reported that the market was heating up for former Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan.

The Cubs seem to be motivated to add an established high-end reliever before Spring Training arrives. Time will tell if they will be successful in their efforts.