MLB logo Oct 2, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; A view of the MLB logo in the dugout during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

After back-to-back 83-79 finishes, the Chicago Cubs seemed destined to improve their roster this offseason.

While they missed out on top free agents Juan Soto, Max Fried, and Roki Sasaki, Chicago has turned to the trade market to bolster their squad.

In December, the teams agreed to send Houston outfielder and three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker to the Cubs in exchange for third baseman Isaac Parades and a pair of starting pitchers.

On Sunday, the Cubs and Astros reached an agreement on another trade. Houston will send two-time All-Star reliever Ryan Pressly to Chicago in exchange for minor league pitcher Juan Bello.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan had the news first.

People were interested in these podcasts
Play Episode
60min
The Play-By-Play
Super Bowl storylines, sportsbooks dialing back sponsored content
Two weeks of Super Bowl coverage is going to bring repeated talking points. Sports betting companies are cutting funding for sponsored content. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-2:23: Super Bowl storylines you’re going to get tired of hearing-6:09: The Super Bowl storyline draft-32:22: Sports betting companies cutting back on sponsored content-47:59: Awful Announcing’s new newsletter/Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys-51:52: ESPN appYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
NBA ‘Face of the League’ talk, Trump controlling sports world, Cena turns heel
A discussion about who's the face of the NBA devolved into the usual NBA discourse. President Donald Trump is anywhere and everywhere in the sports world. John Cena shocked everyone by becoming a bad guy in WWE. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:37: NBA “Face of the League” talk fueling negative discourse-25:01: Donald Trump controlling the sports world-42:16: John Cena turns heel-54:27: NBA Centel disappeared and returned to X-1:00:21: Giving up X posting for LentYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Stephen A. vs. LeBron, CBS makes big changes, Peter Schrager to ESPN
Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James going at it. Gary Danielson announces his retirement, resulting in CBS to make moves in their college football and NFL broadcasts. Peter Schrager leaves NFL Network for ESPN. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen, along with AA head Ben Koo, discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:47: Stephen A. Smith vs. LeBron James-21:54: Gary Danielson retiring, Charles Davis replacing Danielson, JJ Watt replacing Davis at CBS-43:13: ESPN hires Peter Schrager-58:23: Zach Lowe joins The Ringer-59:56: RIP NFL Chain Gang-1:02:44: Dave Portnoy being the most influential person in the intersection of sports and politicsYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Fox Sports lawsuit, WWE on Netflix, Jason Kelce's late night debut
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/playbyplay for 10% off your first month and get on your way to being your best self.Fox Sports is rocked with a sexual battery and discrimination lawsuit. "WWE Raw" makes its long-awaited debut on Netflix. Jason Kelce's late night show was a dud. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more with AA's Drew Lerner on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:02: Jerry Jones acting-2:56: Fox Sports lawsuit-26:46: “WWE Raw” Netflix debut-47:27: “They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce” debut-58:12: Amazon hires Dirk Nowitzki-1:00:15: Jalen Rose calling first NBC game-1:03:25: Amazon hires Blake GriffinYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pressly made his MLB debut in 2013 with the Minnesota Twins. He remained with Minnesota until the 2018 Trade Deadline when he was sent to Houston.

In 281 appearances with Minnesota, Pressly sported a 3.75 ERA and struck out 282 hitters. He recorded just one save in his six seasons with the Twins.

Pressly’s first full season in Houston helped the reliever evolve into one of the league’s best. He was named to his first All-Star team, had a 2.32 ERA, and struck out 72 hitters in 54 innings.

He took over the closer role for the Astros in 2020 and never looked back, recording 106 saves in 255 innings and striking out 307 hitters in his six seasons as closer.

It’s unclear if Pressly will be the closer in Chicago. Bullpen issues plagued the Cubs last season, so Pressly may return to his setup man roots as the team looks to add one more reliever via free agency or trade.

MLB fans on social media had plenty to say about the move.