Rays, Cubs discussed trades involving Kevin Kiermaier, Tyler Glasnow, Craig Kimbrel, Kris Bryant

The Tampa Bay Rays were ready to trade two of their best-known players last week before the July 30 deadline. 

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Rays were willing to part ways with Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier in separate deals for Craig Kimbrel and Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs. 

Tampa Bay was willing to trade Kiermaier and prospects to the Cubs in exchange for Bryant, as well as a more significant deal including Glasnow for Kimbrel. 

The discussions between the Rays and Cubs extended into Friday, according to Rosenthal. The Cubs asked for top prospects to take on the remainder of Kiermaier's six-year, $53.5 million deal, which has two seasons remaining, and because of Glasnow's UCL injury, which requires Tommy John surgery. 

However, the Rays were unwilling to part ways with top prospects Wander Franco, Vidal Brujan, Josh Lowe, Taylor Walls or Shane Baz this summer. 

Bryant was ultimately traded to the San Francisco Giants, and Kimbrel was dealt to the Chicago White Sox.

While the Rays acquired slugger Nelson Cruz from the Minnesota Twins, the only other notable moves they made were acquiring Jordan Luplow and Shawn Armstrong. 

Tampa Bay is 64-42 in the American League East, leading the second-place Red Sox by 1.5 games after a weekend sweep of Boston.