Giants get Bryant in big splash at deadline
The first-place San Francisco Giants made a big splash just before the trade deadline Friday, acquiring star slugger Kris Bryant from the Chicago Cubs for two minor leaguers.
San Francisco sought an experienced third baseman given the club has been without Evan Longoria because of a sprained shoulder since June 5, when he got hurt in a collision with shortstop Brandon Crawford. Longoria is on the 60-day injured list.
Chicago received right-hander Caleb Kilian and outfielder Alexander Canario in the deal.
The 29-year-old Bryant, who can become a free agent after this season, was one of the top position players available on the market as the disappointing Cubs sold off several stars. He is batting .267 with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs.
The versatile Bryant, a fourtime All-Star, was the 2015 NL rookie of the year and 2016 NL MVP, when he helped the Cubs win the World Series to end a 108-year championship drought.
White Sox land Kimbrel
The Chicago White Sox acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the crosstown Cubs, a move that should give the AL Central leaders a fearsome bullpen for their playoff push.
The White Sox already had one of baseball’s best closers in All-Star Liam Hendriks. Now they add Kimbrel, who had a 0.49 ERA and 23 saves in 25 opportunities for the Cubs this season and leads NL relievers in strikeout rate and opponents’ batting average. Kimbrel ranks ninth in history with 371 saves in his 12 years in the majors.
The White Sox paid quite a price to get him: They sent second baseman Nick Madrigal, a budding star who is out for the season with a torn right hamstring, to the Cubs along with right-handed reliever Codi Heuer.
Etc.
Toronto won the pursuit for AllStar pitcher Jose Berrios, acquiring the Minnesota right-hander for two minor leaguers: infielder-outfielder Austin Martin and righthander Simeon Woods Richardson . ... Atlanta acquired outfielders Adam Duvall, Jorge Soler and Eddie Rosario and reliever Richard Rodriguez in taking a run at its fourth consecutive division title . ... The New York Mets acquired shortstop Javier Baez and pitcher Trevor Williams from the Cubs for Harvard-Westlake product Pete Crow-Armstrong . ... Philadelphia acquired pitchers Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy from Texas for rookie right-hander Spencer Howard and two other pitching prospects. Texas also sent pitching prospect Hans Crouse and cash to the Phillies. Howard is going to Texas with right-handers Kevin Gowdy and Josh Gessne . ... The Oakland Athletics acquired catcher Yan Gomes and utilityman Josh Harrison from the Washington Nationals for three minor leaguers . ... The Nationals sent veteran left-hander Jon Lester to the Cardinals. In a separate deal, St. Louis also acquired Twins left-hander J.A. Happ . ... Washington infielder Starlin Castro was suspended 30 games for violating MLB’s policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. The Nationals plan to release him.