Chicago Cubs

Major League Baseball fined Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez an undisclosed amount for taunting Cincinnati Reds reliever Amir Garrett after Baez hit a walk-off single Monday night at Wrigley Field, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman on Wednesday.

It was the latest flare-up between the National League Central rivals. Garrett was handed a five-game suspension in May for his role in a benches-clearing incident that began when he and Baez exchanged words. 

Baez was held out of Tuesday night's contest against the Reds with a left heel injury. He was not listed in the starting lineup for Wednesday's matchup between the two clubs.

"He's got a style. We all get that," Baez said after the May incident with Garrett. "But I'm just not going let him or anyone disrespect my teammates or my team. It was not a big situation, you know? I'm going to try to stay professional with this, but … it doesn't matter who does it in the game—if someone else does it again, we'll go out there again."

The Reds entered Wednesday in second place in the National League Central, seven games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs are in fourth place, 9.5 games back, and are preparing for the breakup of their championship core, which could mean Baez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo are dealt by Friday's trade deadline.

Cincinnati and Chicago will play their series finale Thursday. After that, they will face off six more times before the end of the season, with each team hosting a three-game set.

It remains to be seen if Baez will still be a Cub during those matchups.

The San Francisco Giants have jumped into the Kris Bryant Sweepstakes in a big way, reportedly offering the team's No. 2 ranked prospect, catcher Joey Bart, in exchange for Bryant and his expiring contract. 

According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Giants would be willing to part with Bart—who's slashing .310/.372/.532 with nine home runs and 38 RBI over 44 games in Triple-A this season—as long as the Cubs are willing to provide more than just Bryant in return.

The Cubs' left fielder and third baseman is batting .269/.356/.500 with 17 home runs in a resurgent season for the 2016 NL MVP. 

Bart was selected No. 2 overall in 2018 and is projected to become an everyday Major Leaguer by the end of 2021. MLB Pipeline graded his hitting and power at 50 and 60, respectively, on a scale of 20-80:

Bart's bat speed, strength and the leverage in his 6-foot-2 frame give him well above-average raw pop, more than most catchers possess. The right-handed hitter didn't do much damage in his big league debut, however, as he got too pull-conscious and aggressive and didn't catch up to quality fastballs while posting alarming strikeout (37 percent) and walk (3 percent) rates in 111 plate appearances. He had more success in the Minors when he displayed more patience and let his power, which plays to all fields, come naturally." 

The catcher is ranked No. 17 in Pipeline's Top 100 and would provide an immediate long-term solution for the Cubs at the position. Chicago could then pair Bart with Willson Contreras, who holds another year of club control, or look to move Contreras and his final year of arbitration eligibility. 

The Cubs appear to have entered tear-down mode with shortstop Javier Baez, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and closer Craig Kimbrel among the most desired assets on the trade market. It's unclear how many of the team's core players could depart before Friday's MLB trade deadline. 

It's also unclear if the Giants are expecting to receive any of the aforementioned stars alongside Bryant in exchange for Bart. 

In the meantime, the Giants' prospect becomes one of the more intriguing players dangled over the Cubs and presents the franchise with a legitimate trade partner. 

The Boston Red Sox have reportedly engaged in "preliminary conversations" with the Chicago Cubs about first baseman Anthony Rizzo ahead of the 2021 MLB trade deadline on Friday.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Tuesday the league-wide level of interest in Rizzo is "not so robust" as compared to some of the Cubs' other trade candidates, but Boston is one of the clubs looking for a potential upgrade at first in the coming days. 

The Red Sox own the best record in the American League at 62-39, 1.5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays (60-40) in the AL East. They've enjoyed that success despite little production from their first basemen.

Bobby Dalbec, Danny Santana and Michael Chavis are among those who have spent time at the position, and Boston first basemen have posted a combined .244 on-base percentage, which is 30 points worse than any other MLB team has received from first base, per FanGraphs.

Rizzo has compiled a .346 OBP with 13 home runs across 90 games for the Cubs in 2021. He owns a career .370 OBP.

The 31-year-old Florida native is in the final season of a seven-year, $41 million contract. With his impending trip into free agency, the Cubs' struggles ahead of a possible deadline fire sale and the limited number of teams that seek upgrades at first base, Boston may be able to land him for a bargain price.

Rizzo's career accolades include four Gold Glove Awards and three All-Star selections. He'd upgrade first base for an otherwise strong Boston offense that ranks third in runs scored behind the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I have no idea what's going to happen," Rizzo told reporters Sunday. "It's been almost four years now since all this talk has been out there. I don't think really much has changed in that four years. But this could be it, yeah. And whenever that happens, we'll face that when it happens."

The Red Sox should have enough talent in their prospect pool to get a deal done. Although Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter ranked their system No. 21 overall after the 2021 draft, they had six prospects rated in his first or second tiers who could be of interest to Chicago, though Boston likely won't move any of its top prospects for a rental.

The trade makes sense on paper, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the sides come to an agreement before the deadline.

The Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly held "preliminary discussions" about both Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer and Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant ahead of Friday's 2021 MLB trade deadline.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Tuesday the Rays are "expected to be active" to upgrade their roster before the deadline, even if they don't land one of those marquee names.

Tampa Bay is second in the AL East with a 60-40 record and 1.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox (62-39) in the division race. It tops the wild-card standings with a 5.5-game edge over the Seattle Mariners (55-46), who are currently the first team outside the playoff picture in the AL. Oakland is in the second wild-card slot at 56-45.

So the Rays are in a strong enough position to believe another deep playoff run is possible. They reached the World Series last year before falling short against the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.

Scherzer struggled a bit by his high standards during the coronavirus-shortened 2020 campaign, posting a 3.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 12 starts, but he's been right back to his dominant self this year. He's compiled a 2.83 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 142 strikeouts in 105 innings.

Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post reported Monday the 37-year-old right-hander is "open" to a potential trade and wouldn't use his 10-and-5 rights to block a deal.

Scherzer would immediately take over as the ace for the Rays, who are without Tyler Glasnow because of an elbow injury.

Meanwhile, Bryant's story is much the same as the Nationals starter. He struggled last year to the tune of a career-low .644 OPS, but he's bounced right back to form with an .856 OPS and 17 home runs through 91 games for the Cubs in 2021.

The 29-year-old has posted those numbers while shifting around between first base, third base and all three outfield spots to give Chicago valuable lineup versatility.

The Rays have long been known for trying to find unique market deficiencies, and a player like Bryant, who can provide MVP-level offense while playing all over the diamond, could provide a major boost for a team whose bottom half of the batting order has struggled much of the season.

It's unclear whether Tampa Bay has the payroll flexibility to add the remaining salaries of both Scherzer ($34.6 million) and Bryant ($19.5 million), but both players are slated to become free agents at year's end, so it would be a short-term financial commitment to chase a title.

Even if the Rays can only land one marquee name before the deadline, it could be enough to shift the AL East in their favor if the Red Sox don't make any blockbuster moves.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks is "definitely not being shopped," a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, and barring a monster offer, the Cubs are "not trying to move him." 

Feinsand added that the Cubs "have a number of players up for grabs," however.

Hendricks, 31, is having something of a down year by his own high standards, going 12-4 in 20 starts with a 3.61 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 87 strikeouts in 117.1 innings. Hardly bad numbers, though if the season finished today, his ERA would be the highest mark he's posted since 2015 and his WHIP would be the worst of his career. 

He has been on a solid run in recent starts, however:

Whether Hendricks stays or goes, changes are coming for the 49-51 Cubs, who appear to be gearing up for a firesale after drifting to fourth place in the NL Central. 

Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez will all be free agents after the 2021 season. That makes them all potential candidates to be dealt. Closer Craig Kimbrel has a $16 million club option for next season, which means Chicago can demand very lucrative trade offers from teams in need of bullpen improvements.

The Cubs could always agree to extensions at some point for the veteran stars. But the possibility of losing them for nothing in free agency, especially Baez, would hurt. 

Hendricks, on the other hand, is under contract through 2023 (with a vesting option in 2024). There's little reason for the Cubs to shop him this summer.

The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly eyeing the bullpen of the Chicago Cubs as Friday's trade deadline approaches.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Saturday that the National League East team is interested in Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera as potential trade targets to bolster its "beleaguered bullpen."

Kimbrel is one of the best closers in the league.

He has a resume that includes the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year Award, eight All-Star selections and a World Series title in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox. The right-hander has also bounced back this season with a 0.51 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 61 strikeouts in 35.1 innings after posting a 6.00 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 2019 and 2020.

While Kimbrel would be a major addition, Chafin and Tepera are also talented options who may not cost as much.

Chafin in particular has a 1.37 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 39.1 innings. The southpaw hasn't allowed a run since a May 7 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Tepera has a 3.02 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 48 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. He hasn't allowed a run in four straight appearances since struggling at the end of June.

It is no surprise, then, that Chicago is fourth in the majors in bullpen ERA, per FanGraphs. That stands in stark contrast to Philadelphia, which is 22nd with a 4.64 ERA.

The bullpen struggles have prevented the Phillies from making significant strides in the National League East. They are 48-48 and four games behind the New York Mets for first place.

Improving their bullpen with any of the Cubs options could help them close that gap.

Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant was removed from his team's road game against the St. Louis Cardinals with right hamstring fatigue, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

Bryant was pulled from the game in the fifth inning.

Bryant hit .265 (.835 OPS), 16 home runs and 48 RBI in 85 games for the Cubs entering Tuesday. The versatile fielder has played first base, third base and all three outfield positions.

The Cubs selected the Las Vegas native with the second overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft. Two years afterward, Bryant won the National League Rookie of the Year award.

One season later, Bryant won the 2016 National League MVP en route to helping the Cubs win their first World Series since 1908.

The 29-year-old has been named a National League All-Star on four occasions.

Bryant has excelled at the dish, but the Cubs have struggled en route to a 46-48 record and what may be their first losing season since 2014.

He's been able to stay on the field for most of the season, missing nine games thus far. He has missed time for biceps soreness, a non-COVID illness, a hand contusion, right side soreness and right hamstring tightness.

As for Tuesday, Bryant reached base in the second inning after being hit by a pitch and later scored a run. He also made a sensational diving catch in the third inning.

Two inning later, Ian Happ took Bryant's place in the lineup.

Having lost 15 of their past 19 games, all eyes are on the Chicago Cubs and what they are going to do with Kris Bryant.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, Bryant is "as good as gone" from the Cubs with just over one week remaining before the July 30 trade deadline. 

It will not be a surprise if Bryant gets traded within the next 10 days. The Cubs recently lost 11 straight games and appeared to start selling last week when Joc Pederson was dealt to the Atlanta Braves for first base prospect Bryce Ball. 

Passan listed the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Braves among the potential landing spots for Bryant. 

Bryant is one of several key players on Chicago's roster whose future is uncertain right now. Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez are also eligible to become free agents this offseason.

Craig Kimbrel, who has a $16 million vesting option for 2022, has been mentioned as a trade candidate. 

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported July 16 the Cubs will attempt to sign Rizzo and Baez to extensions before engaging other teams in trade talks for either player. 

There's been no indication publicly that the Cubs have tried to engage Bryant or his representatives in contract talks. The 29-year-old has spent his entire seven-year career in Chicago and was drafted second overall by the organization in 2013. 

Bryant could be the most impactful position player dealt before the deadline. The four-time All-Star is hitting .265/.345/.490 with 16 homers and 48 RBI. He has played at least 10 games at first base, third base and all three outfield spots this season.