MLB rumors: Rays working on Kris Bryant-Craig Kimbrel package deal?

The Tampa Bay Rays have interest in Chicago Cubs stars Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel.

With the Chicago Cubs having themselves a fire sale at the 2021 MLB trade deadline, contending teams like the Tampa Bay Rays have interest in their remaining star players like third baseman Kris Bryant and closer Craig Kimbrel.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX and The Athletic, Tampa Bay is in discussions about adding either of the Cubs’ All-Stars in a trade. While a potential move could include one or both of them, Rosenthal indicates that a deal is not yet close. Should the Rays add either Bryant or Kimbrel, maybe even both of them, Tampa Bay stands a very great chance of winning the AL once again.

Trading for Bryant and/or Kimbrel are the exact type of players the Rays should be targeting here.

Tampa Bay Rays interest in trading for Kris Bryant and/or Craig Kimbrel

Since the Rays have one of the smallest payrolls in all of baseball, adding superstar players like Bryant or Kimbrel would only be for half-season rentals and nothing more. Bryant and Kimbrel are pending free agents and would command way more cash than what small-market Tampa Bay could ever hope to offer. However, the Rays are one of the best teams in the American League.

Given they way that Tampa Bay operates as an organization, the Rays almost always have one of the best farm systems in all of baseball. This is exactly what the Cubs will be looking for if they continue on with their fire sale. By trading for Bryant and/or Kimbrel, Tampa Bay could emerge as the best team in the American League and return to the World Series with their shot to win it all.

With Tampa Bay being this interested in the Cubs’ stars, it signifies they are all-in this season.