Cubs Were Smart to Hold Back Kris Bryant

Look, I'm really happy that the top prospect in all of baseball, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, is going to get his shot to play in the big leagues.

He's good enough to be there. Was he good enough to be there 12 days ago on Opening Day? Sure he was. But he wasn't there.

You know the story. The Cubs held him back because if they held him back for 12 days, they were able to keep him under contract for another year.

From ESPN: "A player is credited with a full year of service time if he's in the majors for 172 days out of the 183-day season. By keeping a player in the minors for the first 11 days of the season, a team can retain his rights for an extra year before he becomes a free agent."

"Don't hate the playa, hate the game." If you think the Cubs did Bryant a disservice, they didn't. That's a rule that the players allowed in the collective bargaining agreement. It's a rule that has been executed several times, including on the best player in the game, Mike Trout.

Trout didn't make his debut in 2012 until April 28. Bryce Harper the same. George Springer of the Astros was held back. It happens.

It's the smart move for the Cubs, who will trade 11 days in 2015 for a full year down the road when the team could be a perennial contender.

If you want to be mad at someone, be mad the players who OK'd it, not the team that uses the rule.

Sorry. I'm over the Kris Bryant discussion. It's the right move.

Now, best of luck Kris. Enjoy your time in the bigs.