Cubs reliever and ex-Astros closer Ryan Pressly joined Chicago in a trade from Houston late last month, which followed December's blockbuster deal that sent three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker to Chicago. Pressly said Tuesday he's been in contact with Bregman occasionally this winter. Pressly added he's taking a more relaxed approach with his pitch.

"Obviously disappointed," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Thursday morning at the team's Arizona facility.

Cubs pitcher Ryan Pressly, a former teammate of Alex Bregman's in Houston, is among the Chicago players lobbying for the star third baseman to join their clubhouse, though as Pressly put it, "I don't think it's recruiting.