I have never been kind when talking about the intellectual capacity of Chicago Cubs fans… and I am not going to start now. With less than 2 weeks to go in spring training, the “debate” of Kris Bryant ’s future has been a hot topic for Cubs fans. The term “debate” is used loosely when describing the Bryant situation since it is obvious that the Cubs should keep him down for the first couple weeks so they have full control over him for another year.
I love playing the hypothetical game as much as the next sports fan… What if Michael Jordan didn’t retire the first time? The Bulls would have won 8 straight titles… obviously.
But that is not how the world works and if the Cubs miss the playoffs by 1 game, it will not be because Theo Epstein kept Kris Bryant down for the first 2 weeks of the season. Bryant could just as easily get hit in the head by a 97-mph fastball and miss the entire season with concussion-like symptoms.
Highly unlikely, but there is a “chance” since we are making up scenarios that best help our arguments… but I will indulge the stupid with their scenario of the Cubs missing the playoffs by a game because Kris Bryant was held down at AAA.
Let’s overlook the fact that it is impossible to quantify a loss based on a player who has never played in a major league game… but that’s fine. For this argument to have any validity, the Cubs would have to win EVERY game they were supposed to for the rest of the year.
One blown save, one bases clearing double or sac fly that cost the Cubs a win would have to be avoided for it to be Theo Epstein’s fault THAT the Cubs missed the playoffs by one game. To put the entire blame on the first couple weeks of the season is irrelevant considering THAT games will be lost throughout the entire season. The whole premise of the Cubs missing the playoffs because Bryant was held in the minors is ludicrous and Cubs fans need to come to that realization.
Kris Bryant isn’t helping Cubs fans understand the situation any better because he has already racked up 13 hits, 9 HRs, 15 RBI and is batting over .450 in only 11 games this spring training. These shiny numbers have distracted some Cubs fans from the big picture and have them up in arms about Bryant starting the season at AAA.
While in reality, they should be counting their lucky stars because every home run Bryant hits this preseason is just another reminder of why the Cubs are doing the right thing with the young phenom. The Cubs are trading roughly 12 days of service of a 23 year old rookie, for a year of control of a 30 year old slugger potentially in his prime.
This is a no-brainer.
It doesn’t help that Kris Bryant is represented by Scott Boras, who is widely known to not sign team-friendly extensions for his stars… a la Max Scherzer. The Cubs are expecting Boras to ask for the moon and its weight in gold when Bryant hits the free agent market so the Cubs will keep control of Kris Bryant for as long as possible. Boras, Bryant and the Cubs know it is nothing personal but some Cubs fans just don’t understand, business decisions trump the complaints of fans.
Only time will tell how the relationship between Kris Bryant and the Cubs will play out, but two things are already set in stone:
Kris Bryant will start the year at AAA Iowa and Cubs fans will remain confused.
@WesEvans24