MLB agent Scott Boras, realizing the Cubs have "no intention of keeping rookie third baseman Kris Bryant on their opening day roster," yesterday accused team ownership of "hoarding money instead of trying to win," according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. Boras said, "You are damaging the ethics and brand of Major League Baseball." He added, "This isn't a system choice. This isn't a mandate. This is a flat ownership decision. Do they really want to win here?'' Nightengale notes Boras, who "represents baseball's greatest prospect, was just getting started during a 30-minute rant" against Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts and team ownership. But Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said that keeping Bryant off the Opening Day roster has "nothing to do with money or future earnings," but that "it's a genuine baseball decision." Epstein: "Ownership doesn't have anything to do with it. We're making an organizational decision." He added, "We do a better job at player development than we do strategizing on how to save a few dollars here and there." But Nightengale writes Epstein and the Cubs "realize that keeping Bryant in the minors for at least 12 days will assure he won't have the service time to become eligible for free agency" until after the '21 season. If they "keep him in the minors until June, it will save them millions by not granting an extra year of salary arbitration." Boras' discontent "actually started last fall when Bryant wasn't included among their September call-ups, despite his status as the minor leagues' consensus best player" (USA TODAY, 3/18). FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal wrote, "Boras’ preference for his clients to determine their values on the open market ... could work against Bryant." The Cubs, "knowing that Bryant is unlikely to accept a long-term extension before reaching free agency, surely covet the extra year of control" (FOXSPORTS.com, 3/17).
TURN ON THE TUBE: In Chicago, Chris Hine reports while the Cubs "insist" Wrigley Field's left-field videoboard will be ready the team's April 5 home opener, Cubs VP/Communications & Community Affairs Julian Green "did not respond to a query asking for a timetable on the board's installation" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/18).
