It's widely believed Chicago Cubs' top prospect Kris Bryant will begin the 2015 season at Triple-A Iowa so the team can get him under an extra year of club control. However, the MLB Players Association will ensure that strictly won't happen for financial reasons.
The question was raised earlier in the offseason: Will Bryant be on the Opening Day roster if he outperforms the other third baseman candidates after Luis Valbuena was traded to the Houston Astros? The fact that the Cubs only need to keep him in the minors for the first two or three weeks of the season to get that extra year of club control almost made it a no-brainer.
The issue has gained so much attention since MLB clubs expanded to the 40-man roster last September, which has prompted the MLBPA to get involved. Bryant was left off the roster and remained in the minors despite his unrivaled 2014 campaign.
"We have always (believed) - and will continue to believe - that it's in everyone's best interests to have the best players playing at any particular time," MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark said, via Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago. "Any rules that are in place that some may be using against the spirit of how they may have been designed, we don't believe (that's) in anyone's best interest - the fans, or anyone that loves our games, the players, or even the clubs for that matter.
"We will continue - as we always have - to monitor those types of scenarios and situations in the hopes that everybody does what's best for the game."
The 23-year-old Bryant is widely regarded as the game's top prospect and was named Minor League Player of the Year in 2014 after slashing .325/.438/.661/1.098 with 118 runs, 43 home runs (led minors), 110 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 138 games between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa.
Let's not forget Bryant's agent is the famed Scott Boras, who will likely work as hard as he can to avoid the Cubs having their way in terms of the financials of the youngster's future. Additionally, the MLBPA had to get involved with Chicago last season when the team optioned reliever Neil Ramirez to Triple-A Iowa after he suffered a triceps injury. Mooney noted the MLBPA quietly stepped in and had Ramirez placed on the 15-day disabled list, which restored his major league salary and continuous service time.
If Bryant continues his offensive rampage from the 2014 season during spring training in the coming weeks, it looks like the Cubs won't be able to pull any funny business. The fans will be delighted if Bryant is on the field Opening Night, especially if he proves he's ready.
