Cubs and Rays Discussed Blockbuster Deal
Sometimes the best trades you make are the ones you don't. The Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs were oh so close to pulling off a blockbuster deal last week that would have ended up with the Rays landing Craig Kimbrel and Kris Bryant, while Tyler Glasnow and Kevin Kiermaier would have ended up in the Windy City.
The talks extended into Friday, the day of the deadline. Chicago asked for top prospects to take on the remainder of Kiermaier's contract and because Glasnow is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery, but the Rays were unwilling to part with any of Wander Franco, Vidal Brujan, Josh Lowe, Taylor Walls, or Shane Baz, Rosenthal reports.
Kiermaier is owed the remainder of his $11.5-million salary in 2021, another $12 million in 2022, and he has a $13-million team option for 2023 with a $2.5-million buyout. Glasnow is set to miss a good chunk of playing time before he hits free agency in 2024.
Ultimately, Bryant and Kimbrel were traded to the San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox, respectively.
The Cubs blew it up and the Rays were willing to deal their ace. Gotta love trade deadline season!
Photo credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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