Astros Lock Up Closer On Extension

The Houston Astros have locked up their closer Ryan Pressly through at least 2024 with a two-year, $30M extension. 

Reliever Ryan Pressly is in agreement with the Astros on a two-year deal worth $30M for 2023 and 2024, a source confirms to @Ken_Rosenthal.

Houston gets its stud reliever back. pic.twitter.com/FHkpUsaBiE

— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) April 6, 2022

Pressly earns $10M this year on what would have been the final year of his contract, but with the extension will now earn $14M in 2023 and 2024, plus a $2M buyout in 2025 that brings the total value to $30M. However, if he posts 50 appearances in both '23 and '24, there's another $14M vesting option for '25.

The contract extension puts Pressly, 33, in the top-5 highest paid relievers in baseball in terms of AAV and is the largest contract ever for an Astros reliever. Pressly is represented by Scott Lonergan of the Ballengee Group.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) April 6, 2022

Per MLB Insider Robert Murray, the 33-year-old Pressly now ranks in the Top 5 relievers in the majors by average annual value (AAV). It's also the largest contract the Astros have handed out to a reliever in team history. 

Over the course of the last 3 1/2 years since he arrived in Houston, Pressly has a 2.28 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, a whopping 11.8 K/9 along with 43 saves. He's been the full-time closer for the past two seasons.

Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports