MLB Hearing Kris Bryant Service Time Grievance vs Cubs That Could Have Major League Ramifications
By Michael Luciano
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant found himself a casualty of the MLB's service time policy in 2015, as he had his Chicago debut delayed by 12 days after the start of the season, as doing so gave the Cubs another year of team control.
Bryant and his agent, Scott Boras, filed a grievance in 2015 over this policy, and the MLB is finally ready to hear it.
Here's another Cubs scoop. Cubs/MLB will be dealing with Kris Bryant's grievance this week from 2015 over service time + Cubs decision to delay his MLB debut until he fell 1 day short of being a free agent after the 2020 season. Could have MLB altering implications if he wins.
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) October 23, 2019
Bryant hit .425 with nine home runs in 40 Spring Training at-bats, so the Cubs can hardly justify saying that he was held down for his performance.
Bryant is not the only big-name rookie that was affected by this, as superstar Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was also forced to play for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons until Toronto gained that lucrative extra year of team control.
Sucks seeing comments in here wanting him gone just cause he wants the system changed for the better of the players. The people who should be getting paid more.
— GlargoTheHedgeHog (@GlargoH) October 23, 2019
If Bryant comes out on top in this case, qualms over holding down prospects to get one more year before they hit free agency will be a thing of the past, which is a massive win for the players and even the fans.