Cubs And Rays Reportedly Discussed Blockbuster Deal Involving Kris Bryant And Tyler Glasnow

Before Kris Bryant was traded from the Cubs to the San Francisco Giants last week, he was nearly dealt for Tampa Bay Rays flame-thrower Tyler Glasnow.

According to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Cubs and Rays discussed a few different trade possibilities that would have sent both closer Craig Kimbrel and Bryant to Tampa.

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When talks were centered solely around Kris Bryant, the Cubs attempted to acquire big league talent in the form of center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, and the two teams even discussed a potential Bryant-Glasnow swap.

Per the report:

“For Bryant alone, the Rays and Cubs talked about a deal that would have sent center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and prospects to Chicago, according to major-league sources. That trade, however, would have been relatively straightforward compared to a bigger deal the teams kicked around for Bryant and Kimbrel — one that centered around injured Rays ace right-hander Tyler Glasnow.”

Rays discussed creative possibilities in talks with Cubs for Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel. Story: https://t.co/8ack3EBek5

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 2, 2021

Ultimately, the Rays were not able to come to an agreement with the Cubs to acquire Kris Bryant or Craig Kimbrel – who was traded to the crosstown White Sox.

The Tyler Glasnow trade would have been especially intriguing, but it’s unclear how deep those discussion actually got.

It’s hard to believe the Rays would have forked over Glasnow for a rental player (even if he was a former MVP), but the ace is currently shelved with a right elbow injury that will likely force him to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss most (if not all) of the 2022 season.

Needless to say, Tyler Glasnow would have filled an organizational void for a Cubs team that is especially thin in the starting pitching department. But Kris Bryant is probably much happier to be in San Francisco than Tampa Bay.

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