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Hello and happy Wednesday.
The hot stove is heating up ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, and after being linked to perhaps the best player available at the deadline, Max Scherzer, the San Francisco Giants have now been linked to arguably the second-best player available: Kris Bryant.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on Tuesday that the Giants and Cubs have spoken about Bryant, the 2016 NL MVP.
Sources: The #SFGiants have spoken with the #Cubs about Kris Bryant, and the Cubs are evaluating 24-year-old catcher Joey Bart as one candidate to be requested on their side of the talks. Bart has a .904 OPS this year at Triple-A. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 28, 2021
Morosi also reported that the Cubs are checking out Joey Bart, the consensus No. 2 prospect in the Giants system. It takes two to tango, however, and NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic reported that the Giants are not willing to include Bart in any trade talks for Bryant, who will reach free agency at season’s end.
Bryant, 29, would beautifully fit the Giants versatile style, as the four-time All-Star has played at first base, third base, and all three outfield positions this year, all while hitting .269/.356/.500.
If the Giants are trying to snag Bryant without giving up too much in the way of prospects, they may be looking at eating some bad salary from the Cubs as part of the deal. Outfielder Jason Heyward — brother of Giants prospect Jacob Heyward — is owed over $50 million through the 2023 season, and if the Giants were willing to absorb some or all of that contract, it could go a long way towards a Bryant trade.
Old, random MCC article for you to read
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Giants links
- Roger Munter reviews Week 12 on the farm (There R Giants)
- Grant Brisbee lists the top prospects that the Giants would and wouldn’t trade at the deadline (The Athletic, subscription required)
- Kerry Crowley on what Farhan Zaidi’s previous moves can tell you about the deadline (Mercury News)
- John Shea ranks the Giants best and worst trade deadline deals (SF Chronicle)
- Ken Rosenthal on how Max Scherzer would prefer to be traded to an NL West contender (The Athletic, subscription required)
- Kerry Crowley on how the Max Scherzer talk is both real and incredible (Mercury News)
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants play the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight at 6:45 p.m. PT.
Beat LA.
Have a lovely Wednesday.