Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant lost his service time grievance case against the team, and the MLB Players Union's reacted just how you think they would.
In a statement released Tuesday, MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said the union disagrees with the case's outcome, though they respect the decision.
The Players Union filed the grievance on Bryant's behalf during his 2015 rookie season. The Cubs sent him to Triple-A Iowa to start the season, promoting him 12 days later. Had they called him up a day sooner, he'd have earned a full season of service time (172 days) and therefore become a free agent after the 2020 season.
At the time, the Cubs said Bryant needed more seasoning — though he slashed .425/.477/1.175 with nine home runs in 40 spring training at-bats. Bryant's promotion came after Mike Olt — the Opening Day starting third baseman — hit the injured list. Backup Tommy La Stella also was on the shelf at the time.
Bryant had a pretty obvious case for the Cubs manipulating his service time but the decision is final. He remains under team control through 2021; if he stays a Cub through the length of his contract is to be seen.
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