Cubs to trade for Ryan Pressly, opening door for Astros return for Alex Bregman

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The Astros had to get rid of Pressly off the payroll in order to re-sign Bregman, said two high-ranking executives to USA TODAY Sports.

To Houston, and use the money saved to re-sign Bregman.

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Everyone made overtures with as many as two teams offering deals for at least five years, but none would offer him the $200 million he wanted.

The Astros, as told by the two executives, made contact with Scott Boras, Bregman's agent, on Wednesday to see if Bregman still wanted to come back to the team. Bregman said he still had a strong desire to return, but he needed a decision soon since other teams are already willing to offer him multi-year deals.

The Astros started serious discussions with the Cubs on Thursday and were close to securing a tentative agreement, according to two top executives who spoke with USA TODAY Sports. They completed a deal with the Cubs on Friday, but it was possible only if Pressly dropped his no-trade clause.

Pressly, who lives in the Dallas area with his young family, was initially hesitant to agree, but eventually did so when told he would become the Cubs' primary closer and only a late-inning reliever for the Astros. Pressly will receive a bonus to cover the tax difference, a person familiar with the talks said, and his no-trade provision will be respected.

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I genuinely enjoy watching Bregman play third base, and I could never see him being put in any position other than at third base, as can't Astros manager Joe Espada either," Astros GM Dana Brown stated Saturday at the Astros Fanfest. "For him, it's his home turf. He consistently puts on impressive displays of skill while playing third base, and is incredibly talented. Awarded the Gold Glove, he's among the very best to do so. I genuinely couldn't envision him playing anywhere else.

The team offered him a three-year, $60 million contract extension, assuming he would instead sign as a free agent with another team, but on Wednesday, they decided to resume negotiations.

Altuve, who also presumed Bregman was gone, told the Astros he'd be okay with moving from second base to left field, after playing there for 14 years, if it meant Bregman would return.

For Alex, I'll do whatever," Altuve, 34, said Saturday. "He's one of the best players in the league and definitely one of the best players on the team. We want him to stay, so I'm willing to do whatever it takes for him to stay.

Esperanto, knowing that Altuve has played all but six innings of his career at second base, says he has no doubt that Altuve can handle the third base position.

Well, he's extremely athletic and can perform certain actions on the baseball field that few others can," Espada said Saturday. "If we get to that point, we'll discuss it with him, but his willingness to do whatever it takes to win is a key aspect to us. He's a vital part of the team, the heart of this organization, and he grasps that.

Altuve also understands that for the Astros to maintain their streak of eight consecutive postseason appearances, which included four pennants and two World Series championships, Bregman needs to be back in the lineup.

“Doing everything is what it's going to take if he stays,’’ Altuve said, “I want to win. He's a guy who's going to make this team stronger. We have a bigger chance to win a championship with him.

My decision isn't final, but if I had the power, I'd be willing to do whatever it takes to bring him back. My main priority is just to have him back.

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The Cubs are trading for Ryan Pressly, potentially paving the way for the Astros to pursue a deal for Alex Bregman.