Blue Jays Could Target Ryan Pressly to Bolster Bullpen
Seeking a Bullpen Upgrade
The Toronto Blue Jays are gearing up for an aggressive offseason following their disappointing miss of the playoffs in 2024. With their sights set on contention, the Blue Jays are exploring various avenues to strengthen their roster, particularly their bullpen. The team finished a lackluster 29th in bullpen ERA last season, highlighting the need for reinforcements.
Rumors are swirling that the Blue Jays may be targeting Houston Astros closer Ryan Pressly as a potential solution. The idea was initially floated by Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly, who believes Pressly could be a valuable asset to a team in need of bullpen help.
Ryan Pressly’s All-Star Pedigree
Pressly boasts a strong track record of success, earning two All-Star selections and racking up an impressive 90 saves between 2021 and 2023. Last season, he recorded 31 saves before the addition of Josh Hader pushed him into a setup role. While he excelled in this new capacity, posting a 3.49 ERA, Pressly’s proven ability as a closer makes him an attractive option for teams seeking to bolster their late-inning dominance.
“Particularly if the Astros would be willing to eat, say, $4 million, of Pressly’s salary for 2025, there could be a real market for him,” Kelly wrote. “There will be some teams who would view the two-time All-Star as their closer, considering he racked up 90 saves between 2021 and 2023. Others would be fine to give him around $10 million to be their top set-up man.”
However, Pressly possesses a full no-trade clause, which could complicate matters. Kelly suggests that the Blue Jays, with their clear need for a closer, could be an enticing destination, potentially persuading Pressly to waive the clause.
“Pressly does have a full no-trade clause, but if a team like the Blue Jays – who were 29th in bullpen ERA this past season – offers him the chance to close, he could be open to waiving it,” Kelly said.
A Stopgap Solution with Long-Term Implications
Pressly, who signed a two-year, $30 million extension with the Astros in 2022, has a vesting option for 2025 that kicks in with 50 appearances in both 2023 and 2024. He is set to earn $14 million in 2025.
Landing Pressly would be a strategic move by the Blue Jays. It would address their immediate bullpen needs while potentially setting the stage for future success.
Pressly wouldn’t necessarily be a long-term solution, but having him at the helm as closer would bring stability and expertise to a young bullpen while allowing the Blue Jays to assess their long-term options. Recognizing the importance of a strong bullpen, the Blue Jays are hoping to solidify their late-inning dominance and propel themselves back into playoff contention.
Keeping Their Stars in Toronto
The Blue Jays face the possibility of losing star players Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette after the next season. To prevent these key players from leaving, the team needs to demonstrate a commitment to building a winning team.
Trading for Pressly would send a powerful message to both Guerrero and Bichette that Toronto is poised for success. It would showcase the team’s willingness to invest heavily and make bold moves to contend for a World Series title.
While securing Juan Soto remains a top priority, acquiring Pressly would be a significant step towards strengthening the team and creating an environment that attracts and retains top talent, showcasing the Blue Jays’ unwavering ambition for a championship run.
What are the potential hurdles to the Blue Jays acquiring Ryan Pressly?
## Could Ryan Pressly be the Answer to the Blue Jays’ Bullpen Woes?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is baseball insider Tom Blackwood, here to break down the latest rumors surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays and their pursuit of bullpen help. Tom, let’s talk about this intriguing rumour linking the Blue Jays to Houston Astros’ closer Ryan Pressly.
**Tom Blackwood:** Thanks for having me. Yeah, this is a rumour that has been gaining steam lately, particularly thanks to Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly. The Blue Jays desperately need to shore up their bullpen, and Pressly’s track record speaks for itself. Two-time All-Star, nearly 100 saves in the last few years, he’s the kind of proven arm that could transform a bullpen.
**Host:** You mentioned the Blue Jays’ need. They were ranked 29th in bullpen ERA last year! Is Pressly the right fit to address that?
**Tom Blackwood:** Absolutely. He’s a proven closer, and even in a setup role this past year after the Astros acquired Hader, his ERA stayed solid at 3.49 [[1](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/news/_/id/33072/ryan-pressly)]. Kelly also pointed out that Pressly could be had if the Astros are willing to eat some of his salary, which could make him even more attractive to a team like Toronto.
**Host:** There’s one big obstacle though, right? Pressly has a full no-trade clause.
**Tom Blackwood:** Right, that’s the potential snag. He controls his destiny.
However, Kelly argues that the Blue Jays, with their clear need for a closer and their ambition to compete next year, could be a very appealing destination for Pressly. If they can convince him that playing in Toronto is a winning situation, maybe he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause.
**Host:** It’ll be fascinating to see how this unfolds. Thanks for breaking it down for us, Tom. We’ll have to keep a close eye on this one!
**Tom Blackwood:** My pleasure.
