Ryan Pressly is the most decorated playoff reliever in Houston Astros' history, a former closer with 14 career postseason saves (most in franchise history and fifth most all-time) and a 17-inning scoreless streak across the 2022 and 2023 postseasons.

The Astros-Ryan Pressly divorce may have been in the works since last winter. Houston general manager Dana Brown admitted Tuesday that his relationship with the closer “took a slightly different turn” when the franchise signed Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million contract a year ago, pushing Pressly into a setup man role.

The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros came together to strike their second significant trade this off-season.  Previously, star Kyle Tucker was acquired by the Cubs for the steep price of infielder Isaac Paredes,