The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros have finalized a trade that will send two-time All-Star reliever and $5.5 million in cash to Chicago in exchange for right-handed pitcher Juan Bello, the teams announced on Tuesday. The All-Star has agreed to waive his no-trade clause as part of the deal.
This marks the second significant trade between the two teams this offseason, following the deal that sent Kyle Tucker to the Cubs in exchange for Isaac Paredes and two additional players.
He was removed from his role as the Astros’ closer after they signed free-agent Josh Hader before last season. He posted a 3.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and struck out 58 batters in 56 ⅔ innings. Pressly served as the Astros’ primary closer from 2021-23, a period that included him recording the final out of the 2022 World Series — a foul out caught by Tucker down the right field line.
Bello, 20, started 22 games in A-ball last season, compiling a 3.21 ERA and a 3.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Recently, FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen ranked Bello as the 31st best prospect in the Astros’ system, noting that while he has the potential to be a depth starter, he will need to refine his secondary pitches to consistently succeed against more advanced hitters.
The Cubs have several relievers who have shown promise in late-inning roles, including Porter Hodge, Tyson Miller, and Keegan Thompson. However, they’ve been actively seeking a closer this offseason and were reportedly in on Tanner Scott until he signed with the Dodgers. As a result, it seems likely that Pressly will be named the Cubs’ closer before spring training, with Hodge and Miller stepping into setup roles.
Pressly is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season and will earn $14 million in 2024. It’s unclear whether this trade is part of the Astros’ efforts to shed salary or a precursor to another move, such as potentially re-signing Alex Bregman.
Hader will continue as Houston’s closer, with Bryan Abreu serving as the primary setup man. The Astros are aiming for their ninth consecutive playoff appearance in 2025.
The Cubs, who have not made the playoffs in a full season since 2018, are coming off back-to-back 83-win seasons and will look to strengthen their roster in hopes of returning to contention.
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