Cubs Star Kris Bryant Is Ready To Fight For Big CBA Changes

Kris Bryant is well aware of the slow-moving market this offseason across MLB and he's prepared to fight for big changes in the next collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA happens to expire one year before Bryant himself becomes a free agent. The Chicago Cubs star told USA TODAY that he'll be more vocal when it comes time to demand changes in the next CBA. Via USA TODAY.

“I do see some big changes in the next CBA – stuff that we’ll have to fight for,” Bryant told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. “I do know that I’d love to be more involved, because a couple years ago, I’m just coming up and trying to get a hold on things.

“But this off-season, seeing how things really do work, I definitely want to have more of a voice. Any time our players’ association gets out here and wants to talk, I want to be there, I want to learn, I want to engage, just to express our side of things, and what we’d like to fight for.”

Back in 2015, Bryant was clearly going to be the Cubs starting third baseman to begin the season, but his MLB debut was delayed eight games so that the club could pick up an extra year of service time. Bryant won rookie of the year and followed that up by winning National League MVP in 2016, when the Cubs won the World Series. In his MVP-winning year, Bryant had a $652,000 salary. Bryant, 26, did set a new record earlier in the offseason, getting $10.85 million in his first year of being arbitration eligible. He wants to make sure his future is secure and also change the structure for the future young stars of the game.

“It’d be weird if someone came into the league making $10 million when they’re a rookie,” says Bryant, who will make $10.85 million in his first of four arbitration-eligible seasons. “But I do think that’s something that should be and will be addressed in the next CBA – getting paid more at the front.

“It is kind of an imbalance right now.”

The third baseman is a Scott Boras client and Bryant wasn't shy about criticizing MLB.

Bryant says he “absolutely” does not believe salaries are rising in lockstep with revenues, despite Commissioner Rob Manfred’s comments to the contrary. He also echoes the thought of his agent, Scott Boras, and others who believe the entire winter was bad for baseball.

“When you look at the brand of Major League Baseball – it’s the best brand there is,” he says. “Not to take away from any leagues around the world, but the best players play here. And to not see the best players sign, who are still at home, I think that’s a little chink in our armor.

“I definitely think, this off-season, just the brand in general of Major League Baseball, took a step back.”

In 2015, Bryant filed a grievance against the Cubs, alleging the team kept him in the minors unnecessarily and had his "service time manipulated to delay future free agency," according to Yahoo! Sports. As of April 2017, that grievance was still pending. So, it'll be interesting what the next CBA brings, as this offseason has already been filled with tension between MLB and the MLBPA. Will the changes that Bryant is seeking happen? Time will tell.