NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In essence, Kris Bryant became a franchise-level player from the moment the Cubs drafted him in 2013, a No. 2 overall pick with off-the-charts power, media savvy and so much marketing potential.
In the same way that Bryant views it as his responsibility to sign as many autographs as he can at the ballpark — and embraces the endorsements, billboards and commercials as a businessman — does he see this service-time grievance against the Cubs as bigger than himself?
From the outside, it looks like a statement on behalf of the Major League Baseball Players Association, trying to make a larger point heading into negotiations over a collective bargaining agreement that expires after the 2016 season.