It’s been Mets, Mets, Mets all day for the Cubs rumors – and then a nebulous group of 10 teams for Craig Kimbrel – but now the Rays have re-entered the chat.
Per Ken Rosenthal, they are talking not only Kris Bryant (as previously rumored), but also Kimbrel:
Rays are talking with Cubs about both Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel, sources tell @TheAthletic. Could trade for one of them individually or both together. No indication a deal is close.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2021
Obviously the Rays’ farm system is loaded, so in that respect, you’d love to see them involved (especially because they might require the Cubs to eat salary, which means the Cubs can demand even more in return).
Moreover, it’s just nice to have the Rays pushing here close to the deadline as other teams seem to be dragging their feet. Or maybe the Cubs are the ones dragging their feet hoping a team will leap with a major offer. Maybe that team is the Rays. Obviously the rest of the AL East has really been pushing in, and so far, the Rays have added Nelson Cruz, but could stand to add more.
