Chicago Cubs

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the Chicago Cubs have traded star third baseman Kris Bryant to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Alexander Canario. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bryant heads to San Francisco and gives the Giants a potent right-handed bat. He is expected to be the Giants' primary third baseman and should see time in the outfield. Bryant is slashing .267/.358/.503 with 18 homers, five steals, 51 RBI, and 58 runs scored over 93 games in 2021.

The Chicago Cubs have traded shortstop Javier Baez and pitcher Trevor Williams to the New York Mets in exchange for Pete Crow Armstrong. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Baez and Williams head to New York in a blockbuster deal with the Cubs on Friday. The 28-year-old will handle shortstop duties while Francisco Lindor (oblique) is sidelined. He will shift to the keystone once Lindor is activated. Baez is slashing .248/.292/.484 with 22 home runs and 13 stolen bases over 360 plate appearances in 2021.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports the White Sox are finalizing a deal to acquire closer Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago Cubs. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic adds that both Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks will earn save chances, which isn't really what fantasy managers want to hear. Still, both bullpen arms are absolutely worth rostering moving forward. The White Sox should win plenty of games, which will create a lot of save opportunities, and the ratios each provide are top-notch.

Ian Happ went 1-for-3 with a walk versus the Reds Thursday. He would blast a solo shot, his 10th homer of the season.

Fantasy Impact: Happ has plenty of power and is still a young player. His value increases in leagues where he has second-base eligibility.

Patrick Wisdom went 1-for-4 Thursday versus Cincinnati. He would blast a solo shot, his 16th homer of the season.

Fantasy Impact: Wisdom was red-hot when he was called up. He has since cooled down but he states his case for playing time now that Rizzo is gone.

Willson Contreras went 2-for-4 versus the Reds Thursday. He would blast a two-run homer, his 17th blast of the season.

Fantasy Impact: Contreras is a top catcher for fantasy. He should be owned in the vast majority of leagues.

Rafael Ortega went 1-for-3 with a walk Thursday versus Cincinnati. He would score a run.

Fantasy Impact: Ortega is hard to judge or recommend given the uncertainty about how much he might play when other injured players might return. Probably best to avoid him in most leagues despite his current hot streak.

Alec Mills went six innings versus the Reds Thursday He allowed four runs (three earned) and took the loss to fall to 4-4 on the season.

Fantasy Impact: Mills has a role that makes it harder to recommend him. When everyone is healthy, he will swing between a spot starter and a long reliever, neither of which are great seasonal fantasy situations.

The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets are reportedly dicussing a trade involving Zach Davies and/or Kris Bryant. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Davis has posted a 4.39 ERA so far this year over 108.2 innings with 78 strikeouts. He is one year removed from a very strong season for the Padres in 2020's shortended year.

The Chicago Cubs have traded star first baseman Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Yankees add another potent left-handed bat by acquiring first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs on Thursday. He is slashing .248/.346/.446 with 14 homers, 40 RBI, and 40 runs scored across 376 plate appearances in 2021. The former Cub will be a free agent after the season. Rizzo is expected to be the Yankees starting first baseman, and his bat should play well with the short porch in right field at Yankees Stadium.

The Chicago Cubs dealt reliever Ryan Tepera to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. (Source: Robert Murray on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: The trade between both Chicago teams gives the White Sox a late-inning reliever. Tepera boasts a 2.91 ERA this season over 43.1 innings pitched with 50 strikeouts to 12 walks. He is set to enter free agency after this year.

Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hoerner hurt himself during a check swing in Wednesday’s 8-2 loss to the Cubs. It’s unclear exactly how long Hoerner will miss, but the 24-year-old is out at least the next 10 days. David Bote will handle second base duties and should see an uptick in playing time the while Hoerner is sidelined. Sergio Alcantara was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Matt Duffy went 1-for-3 with a walk versus the Reds Wednesday. He came around to score a run.

Fantasy Impact: Duffy is a solid player who is very good at making contact which is not the norm in today's game and has value to the team. He is not a great fantasy option but there are leagues where he is playable.

David Bote came in as a pinch-hitter Wednesday versus Cincinnati. He would drive in a run and then come around to score.

Fantasy Impact: Bote is a solid hitter with plenty of power. He will be in the mix for significant playing time but maybe not a full-time one.

Adbert Alzolay went five innings versus the Reds Tuesday. He allowed four runs and took the loss to fall to 4-11 on the season.

Fantasy Impact: Alzolay is one of the Cubs' best young pitchers despite the record and is growing into his potential. He is a better option in longer-term formats.

Kyle Hendricks went 4 1/3 innings versus the Reds Monday. He would allow five runs and took the no-decision.

Fantasy Impact: Hendricks has been a really good pitcher for a few years now. Hendricks had a rough first five outings to start the season but has been a really good option since then.

Former Cubs reliever Andrew Chafin is close to being traded to the Athletics. If Chafin passes the medical review, he will join his new team. (Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Chafin has pitched well in 2021 with a 2.06 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 24.7% strikeout rate, and 8% walk rate. He is more relevant in saves plus holds leagues.

Trevor Williams went 6 1/3 innings versus the Diamondbacks Sunday. He allowed no runs while striking out six. Williams earned the win to move to 4-2 on the season.

Fantasy Impact: Williams is not a major fantasy option. He may have a place in very deep formats or fairly deep NL-only.

Robinson Chirinos went 3-for-4 versus Arizona Friday. He would hit two solo home runs to move his season total to three.

Fantasy Impact: Chirinos is a feel-good story but being the backup catcher to Contreras rarely leads to fantasy success. If something did happen to Contreras, he does have some power.

Keegan Thompson went three innings versus the Diamondbacks Friday. He would allow a run and earn his first career save.

Fantasy Impact: Thompson is a good middle reliever in his first major league season. He is unlikely to help you in traditional leagues, although he might have some value in holds leagues.