Cubs trade Kris Bryant to Giants

The Cubs have traded third baseman Kris Bryant to the Giants. They’ll receive minor leaguer outfielder Alexander Canario and right-hander Caleb Killian.

Bryant’s trade has been expected for some time and after the Cubs made the decision to be sellers at the deadline, it was only a matter of time.

The trade closes a chapter on what was the golden era of Cubs baseball and breaks up the team World Series core after first baseman Anthony Rizzo was traded to the Yankees on Thursday and Javy Baez sent to the Mets on Friday.

Bryant, 29, was the cornerstone of the Cubs’ rebuild and was the team’s No. 3 overall pick in 2013 before being on a fast track to the big leagues where he would take the baseball world by storm, winning Minor League Player of the Year in 2014, Rookie of the Year in 2015 and was named NL MVP in 2016.

The former MVP has been a staple in the Cubs’ lineup this season and has bounced back, leading the Cubs in nearly every offensive category. He’s slashing .267/.358/.503 with 18 homers, 51 RBI with a 132 wRC+ this season.

Bryant said that he’d always keep the door open to returning to the Cubs in free agency and that the city of Chicago always has a special place with him.

“Deep down in my heart, I know I’ve had some of the best memories here and some of the best times of my life,” Bryant said on Tuesday.