Kris Bryant Firehose of Splooge Thread

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April?

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

So much THIS.  Anyone who thinks that a Boras client will sign some of long-term deal years before arbitration (a la Evan Longoria) is either really stupid or is on really awesome drugs.

[Tonker]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April?

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

So much THIS.  Anyone who thinks that a Boras client will sign some of long-term deal years before arbitration (a la Evan Longoria) is either really stupid or is on really awesome drugs.

So, Fork... which is it?

[InternetApex]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April?

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

So much THIS.  Anyone who thinks that a Boras client will sign some of long-term deal years before arbitration (a la Evan Longoria) is either really stupid or is on really awesome drugs.

So, Fork... which is it?

Catnip.

[Eli]

The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen.

I disagree. They may need a few breaks (most teams do), but they don't need "pretty much everything" to go right. That's for teams who are projected to win like 70 games.

I realize this is semantics but damn it, we're on an Internet message board.

[Quality Start Machine]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April? 

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

Rizzo absolutely destroyed AAA pitching the year before the Cubs got him. And Baez could have just as easily been brought up last spring, he had a good camp.

As for Boras being Bryant's agent, he and Jepstink know the deal. If Bryant is the real McCoy, the Cubs will offer a deal that gives him more upfront dough in exchange for a few years of free agency, like they did with Castro and Rizzo. It's not like Theo's exactly a babe in the woods.

[PenFoe]

The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen.

I disagree. They may need a few breaks (most teams do), but they don't need "pretty much everything" to go right. That's for teams who are projected to win like 70 games.

I realize this is semantics but damn it, we're on an Internet message board.

Wait...who the fuck are you?

[SKO]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April? 

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

Rizzo absolutely destroyed AAA pitching the year before the Cubs got him. And Baez could have just as easily been brought up last spring, he had a good camp.

As for Boras being Bryant's agent, he and Jepstink know the deal. If Bryant is the real McCoy, the Cubs will offer a deal that gives him more upfront dough in exchange for a few years of free agency, like they did with Castro and Rizzo. It's not like Theo's exactly a babe in the woods.

Find me a list of Boras clients who have allowed teams to buy them out of free agency in exchange for team friendly extensions. I'll wait.

[SKO]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April? 

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

Rizzo absolutely destroyed AAA pitching the year before the Cubs got him. And Baez could have just as easily been brought up last spring, he had a good camp.

As for Boras being Bryant's agent, he and Jepstink know the deal. If Bryant is the real McCoy, the Cubs will offer a deal that gives him more upfront dough in exchange for a few years of free agency, like they did with Castro and Rizzo. It's not like Theo's exactly a babe in the woods.

Also Baez having a good spring last year is irrelevant. The stated reason for sending him down was that he needed seasoning at Iowa, and he spent over half of a season there. If it was just about his service time he'd have been up in mid-April. His development was the main consideration, and still is, so this, again, is nowhere near "the same exact thing" as what they're doing with Bryant.

[Eli]

The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen.

I disagree. They may need a few breaks (most teams do), but they don't need "pretty much everything" to go right. That's for teams who are projected to win like 70 games.

I realize this is semantics but damn it, we're on an Internet message board.

Wait...who the fuck are you?

I think I've been pretty consistent in saying they aren't far from competing, if they actually try to do it.

[RW]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April? 

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

Rizzo absolutely destroyed AAA pitching the year before the Cubs got him. And Baez could have just as easily been brought up last spring, he had a good camp.

As for Boras being Bryant's agent, he and Jepstink know the deal. If Bryant is the real McCoy, the Cubs will offer a deal that gives him more upfront dough in exchange for a few years of free agency, like they did with Castro and Rizzo. It's not like Theo's exactly a babe in the woods.

Find me a list of Boras clients who have allowed teams to buy them out of free agency in exchange for team friendly extensions. I'll wait.

Elvis Andrus and Carlos Gonzalez.

[InternetApex]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April? 

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

Rizzo absolutely destroyed AAA pitching the year before the Cubs got him. And Baez could have just as easily been brought up last spring, he had a good camp.

As for Boras being Bryant's agent, he and Jepstink know the deal. If Bryant is the real McCoy, the Cubs will offer a deal that gives him more upfront dough in exchange for a few years of free agency, like they did with Castro and Rizzo. It's not like Theo's exactly a babe in the woods.

Find me a list of Boras clients who have allowed teams to buy them out of free agency in exchange for team friendly extensions. I'll wait.

Elvis Andrus and Carlos Gonzalez.

Andrus sucks though. So there's that.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April? 

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

Rizzo absolutely destroyed AAA pitching the year before the Cubs got him. And Baez could have just as easily been brought up last spring, he had a good camp.

As for Boras being Bryant's agent, he and Jepstink know the deal. If Bryant is the real McCoy, the Cubs will offer a deal that gives him more upfront dough in exchange for a few years of free agency, like they did with Castro and Rizzo. It's not like Theo's exactly a babe in the woods.

Find me a list of Boras clients who have allowed teams to buy them out of free agency in exchange for team friendly extensions. I'll wait.

Elvis Andrus and Carlos Gonzalez.

If this is the extent of the list then that's amazing and attests to the fact.  Boras has been around a long time and has had many top-tiered clients.

[Quality Start Machine]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April?

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

So much THIS.  Anyone who thinks that a Boras client will sign some of long-term deal years before arbitration (a la Evan Longoria) is either really stupid or is on really awesome drugs.

So, Fork... which is it?

little from Column A, little from Column B.

[Eli]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April? 

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

Rizzo absolutely destroyed AAA pitching the year before the Cubs got him. And Baez could have just as easily been brought up last spring, he had a good camp.

As for Boras being Bryant's agent, he and Jepstink know the deal. If Bryant is the real McCoy, the Cubs will offer a deal that gives him more upfront dough in exchange for a few years of free agency, like they did with Castro and Rizzo. It's not like Theo's exactly a babe in the woods.

Find me a list of Boras clients who have allowed teams to buy them out of free agency in exchange for team friendly extensions. I'll wait.

Elvis Andrus and Carlos Gonzalez.

If this is the extent of the list then that's amazing and attests to the fact.  Boras has been around a long time and has had many top-tiered clients.

Jered Weaver did, too, but it's a pretty thin list. He also said this, which probably puts him on a shorter list.

"If $85 (million) is not enough to take care of my family and other generations of families then I'm pretty stupid, but how much money do you really need in life?" Weaver said Tuesday.

"... Could have got more, whatever. Who cares?"

[SKO]

Does anyone really believe that one player would make a significant difference during a 13 day period in April? 

Apparently so.

There are a lot of people pointing to the Braves calling up Jason Heyward in his rookie year and extrapolating that his Opening Day home run is why they made the playoffs by a single game (which is quite a stretch for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they won on that game by 11 runs).

Those people also ignore that he's no longer a Brave after they traded him due to his impending free agency. Which, of course, came a year earlier than it could have.

The Braves were a playoff contender both before and during Heyward's rookie season. The Cubs could possibly contend this year, but they'd need to have pretty much everything go right for that to happen. Not to mention, we saw the Cubs do this exact same thing with Baez last season, and with Rizzo a few years ago. And Rizzo got extended before he even became arbitration eligible. There's no reason to believe the Cubs won't do the same thing with Bryant if he proves to be the real deal.

In the 18 days that Bryant would be cooling his heels, there are only three games that could have significant downstream impact, the three against the Cardinals to open the season. Cubs are better off sticking to the plan.

I don't think there's even a remote similarity between how Baez and Rizzo were handled and how Bryant is being handled. Javy was called up once he hit their threshold for AAA AB's and he'd overcome his early season awfulness. Rizzo was also called up once he had enough seasoning AAA they felt he could be called up and not repeat the struggles of his first call up with the Padres.


Bryant has already got a half season at AAA. This is solely about control, not development, so yeah, that comparison sucks.

Also the extensions Rizzo and Castro signed are irrelevant as well, because the main reason control IS so important with Bryant is because Boras is his agent and he is extremely unlikely to sign an extension that may lead to him getting paid below market value.

Rizzo absolutely destroyed AAA pitching the year before the Cubs got him. And Baez could have just as easily been brought up last spring, he had a good camp.

As for Boras being Bryant's agent, he and Jepstink know the deal. If Bryant is the real McCoy, the Cubs will offer a deal that gives him more upfront dough in exchange for a few years of free agency, like they did with Castro and Rizzo. It's not like Theo's exactly a babe in the woods.

Find me a list of Boras clients who have allowed teams to buy them out of free agency in exchange for team friendly extensions. I'll wait.

Elvis Andrus and Carlos Gonzalez.

If this is the extent of the list then that's amazing and attests to the fact.  Boras has been around a long time and has had many top-tiered clients.

Jered Weaver did, too, but it's a pretty thin list. He also said this, which probably puts him on a shorter list.

"If $85 (million) is not enough to take care of my family and other generations of families then I'm pretty stupid, but how much money do you really need in life?" Weaver said Tuesday.

"... Could have got more, whatever. Who cares?"

The list is bigger than I thought it would be, which is kind of encouraging, but either way Boras' history definitely suggests the safest way to ensure Bryant is in a Cub uniform for the longest amount of time is to wait two weeks. Which, to Fork's credit, he was actually agreeing with, his reasoning was just hilariously wrong in that wonderful Fork way.