Agent Scott Boras, who represents Cubs third base prospectKris Bryant, had choice words Tuesday for the organization and its likelydecision tonot Breon Borders Jerseys include Bryant on the club's opening day roster.

Cubs ownership has a choice, Boras told . Are they going to present to their market that they are trying to win? (Team owner) Tom Ricketts said they were all about winning.

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When someone says its (baseball's salary)system, no, its a choice the choice of winning.

Cubs president Theo Epstein was quick to defend his bo ses and dismi s Boras' comments.

Kris Bryant's development path has absolutely nothing to do with ownership, period," Epstein said."As with all our baseball decisions, I will determine where Kris begins the 2015 season after consulting with members of our baseball operations staff. Comments from agents, media members and anybody outside our organization will be ignored.

Boras believes the 23-year-old Bryant should be a key piece of the Cubs' plan from Day 1 this yeardespite his rookie status. Bryant has turned heads with his play this spring, going10-for-23 with a major-league-leading six homers.

This is no different than (Jason) Heyward,Elvis Andrus, (Troy) Tulowitzki,Austin Jackson, (Jose) Anthony Rush Jerseys Fernandez with theMarlins, Boras said of other players who were regulars as rookies. Their owners had the same choice (Ricketts) has. They were about winning and they went for it. And those clubs got the result and effect of players performing and winning, in some cases going to the World Series. The Rockies (2007)andTigers (2010) made the Series with Tulowitzki andJackson, respectively,as everyday players.

Ricketts has been open about pushing the team hard to win its first World Series since 1908.

Obviously, we all believe this years team has what it takes to win Rashaan Evans Jerseys the division and go to the playoffs, Ricketts told reporters at the start of spring training. Were looking forward to winning. We feel this is the year we start to show results."

Bryant's opening day status could have a significant effect on his earning power in future years, which is why Boras is pre sing the Cubs to start Bryant's service time clock. Fox Sports noted that if the Cubs start Bryant at Triple-A Iowa and postpone his major league arrival for at least 12 days, the teamwould have Bryant under its control for an additional year before he can become a free agent.

Despite Bryant's obvious potential, Epstein still believesthere is room for improvement that can be made in the minors.

As I told Kris last September and again at the start of spring training, we view him as nearly big league ready, Epstein said, according to Fox. The remaining area for improvement is his defense,something Kris agrees with.

Kris is 6-foot-5 and a half and therefore faces obstacles other third basemen don't face. This spring training we wanted him to work on his footwork, his first step, his throwing, and other fundamentals with as many game repetitions as po sible. More than anything, we want him to Tennessee Titans Pet Gear get in a good rhythm defensively before he makes his major league debut.

That has not happened yet, in part due to some shoulder fatigue that is not a concern but has limited the amount of game action he's been able to have at third base.

Bryant has not thrown D'Onta Foreman Jerseys since last Thursday.

More Epstein, per Fox:If enough time remains to get Kris into a good rhythm defensively at we may consider putting him on the club. If not, we see nothing wrong with using the early part of the season at Iowa to get him in that rhythm. We believe he's going to be an outstanding defender in time; we want him comfortable when he makes the leap to the highest level.

For now, Bryant will have to remaincontent with playing for the big club in the Cactus League.

In my experience, even the best prospects are well served with significant time at the Triple-A level, Epstein, who previously served as theRed Soxs general manager,said, per Fox.

Dustin Pedroiahad 162 games and 733 plate appearances at Triple-A before making his majorleague debut (with Boston). Anthony Rizzo (whom Epstein drafted with the Sox)had 163 games and 697 plate appearances at Triple- Trevon Coley Jerseys A before we called him up for good with the Cubs (Rizzo made his big league debut with the Padres in between).

There is no hard-and-fast rule, but some of the players we have moved more quickly have struggled without the extensive Triple-A experience. We have one chance to get this right with Kris, and we will make the best baseball decision we can.