The Houston Astros face a compelling offseason, having exited before the ALCS for the first time since before 2017. With Alex Bregman entering free agency and their payroll nearing the luxury tax threshold, the team is reportedly considering trading veteran reliever Ryan Pressly, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic.
Rome reports that the Astros have internally discussed trading Pressly, a setup man, as a way to gain flexibility under the luxury tax. Estimates suggest they are around $10 million below the initial threshold, factoring in projected arbitration salaries.
Pressly’s 2025 salary of $14 million could free up funds for the Astros to either re-sign Bregman or pursue other offseason targets. However, trading Pressly is complicated by his full no-trade clause, which means he must approve any destination.
How will Astros manage potential payroll constraints?
Despite the trade speculation around Ryan Pressly, Astros GM Dana Brown emphasized that the team aims to stay competitive and won’t make a trade that weakens the roster.
“If we can use a major-league piece to get two players who address our needs, I’d be open to that if the right deal comes along,” Brown stated, according to Rome. “But I don’t want to trade major-league talent in a way that weakens us. The deal has to make sense for us and genuinely improve the team.”
The Astros face a tricky balance. Trading Pressly could ease payroll pressure, especially if they acquire other major league assets in return. However, the no-trade clause Pressly holds could restrict potential trade partners, complicating a move.
Retaining both Pressly and Bregman without unloading salary elsewhere appears unlikely, but the Astros are expected to make every effort to keep the core competitive for 2025. All eyes are on the moves Brown might orchestrate to navigate this challenging offseason.
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