Kris Bryant In The Middle Of Chicago Cubs, Scott Boras Fight
While many see a battle between
Kris Bryantand the Chicago Cubs so that Bryant can start the season with the major league club, the real battle may be between the team and super agent Scott Boras. Boras likes to use a scorched earth method in getting the best contract for his clients, but the Cubs appear to take up a battle against him.
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Spring training is supposed to help the young prospects, providing them lessons. Well, baseball’s top prospect, Kris Bryant, sure is getting a lesson so far this spring. This lesson has nothing to do with what is going on between the lines.
Bryant is getting taught how things in the major leagues are high stakes. When a decision has to be made, there will be multiple sides fighting for what they feel the decision should be.
There is a battle on when Bryant will make his debut with the Chicago Cubs. Bryant is doing everything he can to make the club on Opening Day. Many, however, feel that no matter what he does, he will start the season in Triple-A Iowa.
So this is a battle between Bryant and the Cubs, right? Wrong. This is a battle between the team and super agent Scott Boras.
You know Scott Boras, Bryant’s agent. He is one of the most powerful agents in sports, and one of the most hated as well.
Chicago Cubs
Boras is hated because he will do anything and everything he can to get his clients the best deal possible. He got Alex Rodriguez the incredible 10-year, $250 million deal with the Texas Rangers. He then negotiated an even bigger deal with A-Rod and the New York Yankees worth $275 million over 10 years.
Boras works for his clients, regardless of whether or not he offends teams. He will do whatever it takes, even if he needs to scorch the earth to get it done.
The next team on Boras’ sights is the Chicago Cubs.
Of course, the biggest item that is bringing the most controversy is that if the Cubs keep Bryant in Iowa for several weeks, they get to delay the free agent clock for another year. Boras, of course, does not want that.
On Wednesday, Boras teed off on the Cubs over their handling of Bryant.
"You are damaging the ethics and brand of Major League Baseball. Kris Bryant has extraordinary skills. Kris Bryant is a superstar. He has distinguished himself from all players at every level he’s played.Everybody in baseball is saying he’s a major-league player ready for the big leagues. I have players call me. Executives call me. The Cubs’ people want him there. Everyone says, ‘They cannot send this guy down.’ It’s too obvious.This isn’t a system choice. This isn’t a mandate. This is a flat ownership decision. Do they really want to win here?"
“Do they really want to win here?” Now that is a blow to the gut of a franchise that has gone over a century without winning a World Series. Remember, scorched earth.
The Cubs are holding firm so far in their intent with Bryant.
"Kris Bryant’s development path has absolutely nothing to do with ownership, period. As with all our baseball decisions, I will determine where Kris begins the 2015 season after consulting with members of our baseball operations staff. Comments from agents, media members and anybody outside our organization will be ignored."
Well, that seems like a fight that could rival Mayweather-Pacquiao.
The one stuck in the middle of all this fighting is Bryant. He appreciates what what Boras is doing for him, but he has to make nice with the team.
“Scott works for me,” Bryant said Wednesday morning. “He does a great job. It’s nice to have a bulldog working for you rather than a poodle. He definitely sticks up for his players and wants the best for them.
“…He’s the best that’s ever been in this game,” Bryant stated. “He’s kind of polarizing. Some guys don’t like him but as a player you have to love him. He’s there fighting for you every day. He wants the best for you.
While he gives his approval for Boras, Bryant also has nice things to say about Cubs’ management. “Ownership has been great to me. Treating me nothing but with first class. I have nothing but good things to say about them.”
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the coming weeks. It will also be interesting to see what effect this battle has on Bryant. If the Cubs send him down, will it sour his feelings with the club, eventually leading to an exit strategy before he even enters?