The Bernstein Brief: Finally, We Can Move On From Kris Bryant's Service Time Debate
By Dan Bernstein-
CBSChicago.com senior columnist
(CBS) Compared to the statement from the MLB Players Association, Scott Boras appears to be the voice of reason.
That's where we are now, at the entirely expected and understood conclusion of the Kris Bryant service-time story, which took an expected turn Monday when the Cubs sent him to the minor leagues to begin the season. The Cubs did what it was clear the whole time they were going to do, and everybody knows exactly why, except for some willful contrarians and the otherwise confused.
But the union is pounding on the table.
"Today is a bad day for baseball," it said in a statement Monday. "This decision, and other similar decisions made by clubs, will be addressed in litigation, bargaining, or both."
Bargaining is the important word, because it's done largely to supersede litigation. Both sides agreed on these rules.
To his credit, Boras finally singled out the system instead of the evil Cubs.
"The CBA is at the apogee of wrongs incentivizing clubs to create a product less than best," he told Jon Morosi of FOX. "Bryant's situation is the badge for change to the CBA player service structure."
That's fine, then. Sit down and come up with a better plan together, instead of demonizing teams for being smart with their assets. There will be all kinds of new and similar consequences no matter what's established, but at least it can stop the pointless posturing over a merely sensible decision.
Dan Bernstein is a co-host of 670 The Score's "Boers and Bernstein Show" in afternoon drive. Follow him on Twitter @dan_bernstein and read more of his columns here.
