Chicago Cubs Rumors: Joey Bart off the table in a Kris Bryant trade

We are now nearly only 48 hours away from the MLB trade deadline. As expected, the stove is getting hotter with each passing day, with the latest reports indicating the San Francisco Giants have had discussions with the Chicago Cubs front office regarding Kris Bryant.

Bryant is helping his own case as he is heating up again at the perfect time. The Cubs slugger has now gone four for his last 10 and has two home runs in his last three games. In the month of July, the four-time All-Star is batting .305/.414/.542.

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With Evan Longoria expected back from the IL in early August from a shoulder injury, Bryant would more than likely be taking to the outfield and trying to help the Giants capture their first NL West Division title since 2012. They currently sit at 63-37 in the NL West, three games up on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Chicago Cubs were taking a good look at the Giants’ #2 prospect and #22 overall, catcher Joey Bart. Now, Bart seems to no longer be available – and it always stood to reason Farhan Zaidi wouldn’t deal one of the most highly-regarded prospects in baseball for a couple months of Bryant, regardless of his skillset.

Knowing all this, it remains to be seen what a potential return from San Francisco might look like.  Like I said, with Bart being such a highly touted prospect, they are probably looking to just hang on to him, or at least not dump him for a rental who is sure to test the market in free agency.

The next best prospect that is closest to big league-ready status is Heliot Ramos, the Giants’ #3 prospect and #63 according to MLB Pipeline. Ramos scores an overall of 55 on a grading scale of 20-80.  The downside is he is only slashing .190/.393/.333 in 28 plate appearances with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.

Although I am not Jed Hoyer, these numbers are unappealing to me and right now wouldn’t be the time I trade Bryant straight-up for Ramos, knowing I can probably get a better return elsewhere.

Looking further down the line, #4 prospect and #65 overall is Hunter Bishop. The left-handed-hitting outfielder is an interesting prospect with potential. Currently, he is struggling as well, batting a mere .167 at the High-A level in his second year of pro ball.

If the Giants are reluctant to let go of Joey Bart, who they may see as the successor to Buster Posey, trade talks will most likely dissolve before coming to fruition.