All the Chicago Cubs rumors we’re tracking at the MLB trade deadline

At this point, why stop? After dealing Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Chafin, Joc Pederson and Ryan Tepera – it’s rumored the Cubs will look to finish off the firesale and trade Kris Bryant in the final hour before the trade deadline.

We’ll have more on these rumors as they take shape.

Chicago Cubs trade Javier Baez, Trevor Williams to the New York Mets

There it is. The Cubs are trading Javier Baez and Trevor Williams to the New York Mets.

We’re working on a full breakdown and will have more once we know the return in the deal. This is a day no Cubs fan will soon forget – that’s for sure.

Chicago Cubs, New York Mets nearing a Javier Baez trade

Hot on the heels of the Craig Kimbrel trade with the Chicago White Sox, it looks like Javier Baez (and maybe more) could be headed to the New York Mets.

Of course, the Mets, under new ownership, have displayed a willingness to actually act like a big market team, evidenced by their trade for and subsequent extension of Francisco Lindor earlier this year. Baez himself told reporters that he’d love to play alongside Lindor as recently as this week.

It’s down to Baez and Bryant as far as major (expected) trade chips for the Cubs go. Just over an hour left until the deadline and it appears Chicago is tearing it down to the studs.

Chicago Cubs: Is a multi-team deal something we could see today?

There’s no doubt: no other team in Major League Baseball has as many trade chips in its arsenal as the Chicago Cubs. Even after trading Anthony Rizzo, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin and Joc Pederson, Jed Hoyer is still working on a mix of some middle relievers, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Craig Kimbrel and Zach Davies (at a minimum).

Finding one-to-one deals that get you exactly what you want (especially under the gun here) isn’t easy. One solution? Multi-team deals that help front offices mix and match and address needs in a more creative way.

This year’s MLB trade deadline has already been wild. But if Jed Hoyer starts wheeling and dealing on a multi-team front, it might cement itself as the most memorable deadline day we’ve ever seen.

Chicago Cubs: White Sox could assemble super bullpen with Craig Kimbrel trade

We went from a fairly sleepy morning (assuming everyone was recovering from the chaos of Thursday that saw a Dodgers-Nationals blockbuster and the Cubs trade Anthony Rizzo) to foot to the floor real quick as we approach this afternoon’s MLB Trade Deadline.

The latest? In addition to at least nine other teams, Chicago is continuing to have discussions regarding Craig Kimbrel with the crosstown rival White Sox, according to David Kaplan.

The addition of Kimbrel would give the White Sox an absolutely ludicrous mix of bullpen arms – and given their sizable lead in the AL Central, they’re focused solely on being ready for October. Kimbrel certainly wouldn’t hurt their chances in the postseason, that’s for sure.

Chicago Cubs: Atlanta Braves are another team interested in Craig Kimbrel

We know that a third of the league has at least had conversations with the Cubs regarding All-Star and future Hall of Fame closer Craig Kimbrel in recent days. We’ve already talked about the Dodgers, Padres and Rays – but you can now add one of his former teams to the mix, as well.

Kimbrel pitched for Atlanta from 2010 to 2014 after the team selected him in the third round of the 2008 draft. During his time with the Braves, the right-hander ran off a 1.43 ERA across 294 appearances, winning Rookie of the Year in 2011 and earning four All-Star nods during that five-year span.

Chicago Cubs: Los Angeles Dodgers could trade for Craig Kimbrel

The Los Angeles Dodgers remain interested in Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel, who could step in and give the reigning World Series champions a lethal one-two punch in the late innings along with Kenley Jansen, who has struggled lately finishing out ballgames.

Of course, Los Angeles shocked the baseball world on Thursday, acquiring not only Max Scherzer, but shortstop Trea Turner in a blockbuster deal. But given the depth of their farm system and near-limitless financial resources, acquiring Kimbrel can hardly be ruled out.

As of this morning, the Cubs were engaged with at least 10 teams on their All-Star closer, who enters the weekend with a 0.49 ERA and 0.709 WHIP in 39 appearances for Chicago. Given the fact he can be controlled through 2022, Kimbrel is undoubtedly the most valuable trade piece left in Jed Hoyer’s arsenal.

Chicago Cubs, New York Mets remain ‘apart’ in Kris Bryant trade talks

For some time now, the New York Mets have, at least from all public-facing indications, been a favorite in landing Chicago Cubs All-Star utilityman Kris Bryant. With just hours until the MLB trade deadline, though, a gap seems to exist between Chicago’s asking price and what the Mets are looking to pony up in a potential deal.

That’s not a surprise, really. I suspect a lot of the Cubs’ deadline deals will come down to the wire this afternoon. After trading a franchise icon in Anthony Rizzo on Thursday, there’s too much at stake for Jed Hoyer in the rest of these moves. It’s pretty much a ‘can’t miss’ scenario for the Cubs front office in lining up deals for guys like Bryant, Craig Kimbrel and, potentially, Javier Baez.

New York has a glaring need at third base and have reportedly made JD Davis available in trade talks. It remains to be seen whether or not Chicago has any interest in the former third-rounder. But based on what they’ve gotten in their previous deals involving Andrew Chafin, Ryan Tepera, Yu Darvish and Rizzo, prospects seem to be in the crosshairs for Hoyer above all else.

Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays talking Kris Bryant and/or Craig Kimbrel trade

It’s felt like a foregone conclusion for some time that Bryant would end up being traded. But in addition to that report, we’ve also learned the Tampa Bay Rays are talking to the Cubs about Bryant and Kimbrel at this time.

Of course, the Rays boast the best farm system in baseball – so we could see Chicago pay down contracts in order to get their hands on blue chip prospects in such a deal. Earlier this morning, there was a report Hoyer was still in discussions with as many as 10 teams (a third of the league) regarding Kimbrel, so even if a deal with Tampa doesn’t work out, he’s clearly got options here.

We’ll keep updating this piece as the latest rumors come in – right up to this afternoon’s deadline.