MLB's Latest Service-Time Agreement With MLBPA Suggests Kris Bryant Won Grievance With Cubs After All

Kris Bryant and the Chicago Cubs were engaged in a service-time grievance for much of the offseason, eventually resulting in an arbitrator ruling in favor of the organization. Bryant's initial big-league promotion came on April 17, 2015. Had he been called up one day earlier, the third baseman would have been eligible to hit free agency in 2020, however, the organization argued they kept him in the minors to work on his defense.

Well, Bryant eventually lost the service-time grievance in February, which will prevent him from hitting the open market until 2021. However, following the MLB's latest report about its plans for service-time in 2020, Bryant stands to benefit in a big way.

As Ken Rosenthal reported, the MLB is expected to count the 2020 campaign as a full year of service time for players regardless of how many games are played. With the season expected to be shortened, Bryant being on the Cubs roster through 2021 provides him with additional security ahead of his first trip to the open market.

Had Bryant won his grievance hearing, he'd be entering the delayed 2020 season on a contract year, with much less time to showcase his talents during the regular season. Instead, he's due to spend 2021 in Chicago, under what should be more normal baseball circumstances, and have the opportunity to put together a strong 162-game campaign prior to testing the market.

While no decision has been finalized by the league yet (and it still remains to be seen when the season will even get underway), it sounds like Bryant's loss in his grievance could actually end up paying dividends for him in the long haul.