Kris Bryant. A way back for the Cubs?


As I write this, it would appear there is no way back for Kris Bryant and the Chicago Cubs in their Service Time grievance dispute. Not surprising when the player's agent in this case is Scott Boras, known for bleeding every cent from organizations. However, does Bryant have a point? In a word, yes.

Beginning

In 2015, the Cubs kept their biggest Minor League asset, their best prospect, Kris Bryant, behind for two weeks after the season began to retain team control over the player for an extra year. This is a loophole within the Service Time ruling, While this is totally within the Cubs' remit to do so, and are well within their rights to lock the player down for an extra year of team control without paying big bucks, and delaying Bryant's free agency, you also have to feel that Bryant has a point also. Remember 2015? He was always going to be called up early that season. The Cubs were in Championship building mode, and had one of, if not the biggest, prospect in all of baseball in their farm system. Billboards were rented. Fans were wanting Bryant now. Right fucking now. However, the Cubs and Theo Epstein, wanted to wait to exploit the Service Time ruling. Understandable, as Bryant would be a Free Agent this offseason had it not been done. However, this has now had wider reaching ramifications for the Cubs organization, their most talented hitter, the relationship between the two, and adds to an already complicated legacy of the Ricketts family.


Ricketts Family 

I mentioned in the last line of the previous paragraph that the Ricketts family have a complicated legacy. And that this fiasco is adding to it. I will explain. The franchise's owners have been long known, since October 2009, been known for hiring short term options in a win now model, alongside developing a once in a generation group of young players, Bryant included. Led by Tom Ricketts, chairman and son of money man Joe, they have mastered the art of seemingly supporting Epstein and the field endeavors of multiple managers. However, dig a little deeper, and the truth unravels. Taking over in 2009, Lou Piniella was manager. Jim Hendry was GM. In the meantime, Hendry was replaced on an interim basis in 2011 by Randy Bush, before Jed Hoyer taking over, with Theo Epstein, baseball doyen of the Boston Red Sox, taking over as Director of Baseball Operations overseeing Hoyer. In the meantime, Mike Quade, Dale Sveum, Rick Renteria, Joe Maddon and now David Ross have been in the Managers hot seat. The manager to gain the most support, was Maddon. But even then, the team had a young core of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Addison Russell, Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber. That is a once in a lifetime list of young sluggers to have at the same time. Arguably led also, by Bryant, the 2016 MVP. This alongside dependable Rotation star Kyle Hendricks. Adding to them, the acquisitions of Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, etc. To have a championship window of 3-4 seasons with a team like that, with a manager like Maddon, and baseball minds like Hoyer and Epstein, and only visit the World Series once, is criminal.

In fairness, the additions of the likes of Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels, Dexter Fowler, Aroldis Chapman and Daniel Murphy, amongst others, for big money, it would appear the support was there. However, should Bryant leave, the fact that out of the core, Rizzo, Schwarber and Contreras would be left, and out of the others, Darvish, Heyward and Lester are left, would point to a worrying trend. Of course, not every player can be paid. That would mean the Cubs would be pushing Yankees territory, which is unrealistic. But the replacements are less than adequate. Fowler was lost following the World Series win, where he was phenomenal, and was barely replaced. Same with Arrieta, the 2016 Cy Young Award winner. Chapman was always going to the Yankees following the World Series, Hamels is old and starting to wear down slowly, and a big contract would not make sense. Russell is gone due to his own stupid doing. These, I can absolve Tom Ricketts for. However, the fact they were not replaced with competent guys is criminal in the grand scheme of things. Considering that other than Darvish, most have been high cost, short term options, where is the money that can't be paid to Bryant? And does this point to a larger problem, which we will experience with Baez in particular in the coming years?



What to do with Bryant?

Kris Bryant wants to be paid. He has a point. The money is surely there, and the fact the Cubs and Bryant have both been so stubborn, would appear there is no way back for him within the Organization. Trade rumors have been abound since the grievance was filed, indicating there will be no return. Bryant will either stay for one more season, at best, and then file for Free Agency, with the grievance claim settled. Or he wins, and becomes a Free Agent. The third option, is a trade. However, the Cubs want a lot for Bryant. Like seriously, a fucking boat load. That's their prerogative. He is their asset, and they want the most they can get for him, while avoiding a grievance hearing. But is there a fourth option? Hear me out, call me a dreamer. But is there a World where Bryant and the Cubs come to an agreement, and he gets paid, but for a longer term deal? Unlikely at this point, maybe, but not out of the realms of reality.

It would appear Bryant has a case. He was hitting .425 with nine homers in the Spring of 2015. He was ready, and clearly so. The timing of waiting, to avoid paying him massive money for an extra year, is suspect. He clearly has a good case.  So maybe the trade is the most likely option. Should the Cubs get a great deal, with a ready starter and pieces for the future, and maybe cash considerations, this would be a big deal for the Cubs. In an Offseason where the Cubs have done, precisely, diddly squat, having this deal finally finalized would be a relief for many. Keeping Bryant is the best case scenario, but would appear millions of miles away at this time.

In conclusion

In recent years, the Cubs have either half assed, or haven't gone in for, Giancarlo Stanton, Jake Arrieta, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Gerrit Cole, and many others. The Outfield is bare. The Infield, should Bryant leave, would be the same. The Rotation is threadbare. This season could be painful for the 2019 Third Place Cubs. This should be their Championship window still. Having a couple of World Series appearances already. Maybe more than One Championship. However, this is not the case. The Cubs have joined the middle of the pack. And the way things are going, if the signings in recent years and now the lack of interest in paying the current stars top dollar are anything to go by, there is only one way. Down. I guess it's the Cubs way. It's always the hope that kills you. I guess the joke is on us for hoping 2016 would have meant times had changed. Except no one is laughing.

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