April 25--CINCINNATI -- Although Kris Bryant gave vague answers, the Cubs' phenom would like some form of a resolution on the controversy surrounding his assignment to Triple A before the regular season and his promotion that was delayed enough to cost him a year of free agency until after the 2021 season.
"That would be the best way to handle it," Bryant said Friday. "Both sides get on the same page and figure out all that stuff."
Bryant's comments came after a CBS Sports story reported the Major League Baseball Players Association is considering filing a grievance on behalf of Bryant, who wasn't promoted until April 17 so this season doesn't count toward his eligibility for free agency.
Many observers believe the Cubs purposely sent him down after a sterling spring training just to keep him under their control an added season, as per the letter of MLB's collective bargaining agreement with the players union.
Bryant, 23, who is living up to his billing as the top prospect in the game with a .360 batting average in his first seven games with the Cubs, admitted he needed more information before elaborating on his options.
He seemed lukewarm to welcoming the MLBPA pursuing a grievance on his behalf.
"(The union's) entitled to what they're supposed to do," Bryant said. "For me, I'm just supposed to be on the field and be worried about what I do there. I'm not worried about the stuff off the field. I'm here to the help the team win now, so I'm having fun with it. If (the union's) there to do a job, them I'm here to do a job, too."
Bryant didn't know details of agent Scott Boras' idea of appointing a panel to decide grievances involving players alleged to have been sent to the minors before the start of the season for non-baseball reasons, but "I do think something should change in the next CBA."
Long and short: In an apparent effort to help with his transition to a new position, rookie Addison Russell has been playing deeper at second base.
"Even though I'm at second base, it still feels like I'm at shortstop a bit because of how deep I'm playing," said Russell, who continues to talk with coach Gary Jones about both positions. "It doesn't feel like I'm so far (away)."
