SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Nine miles apart, two superstars started spring schooling by answering the same questions about a winter filled with trade rumors. But the vibe in the responses given by Nolan Arenado at Rockies camp and Kris Bryant as
the Cubs opened spring training couldn't have been more different.
--------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTTSDALE,
Ariz. -- Nine miles apart, two superstars started spring schooling by answering
the same questions about a winter filled with trade rumors. But the vibe in the
responses given by Nolan Arenado at Rockies camp and Kris Bryant as the Cubs
opened spring training couldn't have been more different. The reason? One would
love to stay where he is, while the other has more than intimated a alter in
address might be best. "I don't hold grudges," Arenado said after custom
MLB name stickers reporting to camp. "That's not really me. I'm also here
and also have to be who I am and stand up for what I believe in. "I'm committed. Baseball
Iron On Transfers I'm committed here. I'm right here and ready to go out
there and enjoy hard. I'm not going to be a negative presence in that locker
room." Arenado spoke through clenched teeth, in the hallway at the Rockies'
spring facility, answering questions about his disconnect with team management.
He hasn't specifically asked for a trade, at least not publicly. Not long ago,
Arenado thought the Rockies were headed in the right direction when he signed an
eight-year, $260 million contract before the 2019 time of year. Colorado was
coming off a 91-win period and back-to-back playoff berths for the first time in
franchise history. That all changed in 2019, when the Rockies' win total
plummeted to 71. An opt-out following 2021 season has given Arenado some
leverage -- and possibly a ticket out of town via trade. Just a couple exits
down the 101 Highway from Colorado's springtime training home of Scottsdale,
Bryant arrived in Mesa in the disposition to talk right away. At 8 a.m.
Saturday, he established the record straight: He wants to be considered a Cub.
For the next 35 mins, at a table in the media area, he answered every issue. He
was at ease, comfortable in his very own skin. Bryant's name provides surfaced
in trade rumors, in part, because he'll be a free agent after the 2021 season.
Like the Red Sox's circumstance with Mookie Betts, the Cubs don't desire to lose
a superstar and get nothing in return. Contract extension talks have gone
nowhere, so the group is looking at its options, according to multiple league
sources. With so much swirling, Bryant got a much-needed meeting with team
management. "It was cool to sit down and get that Chicago
White Sox Super Heroes Logos diy heat transfers off our chest and checklist,
and now we move on and I'm ready to win video games," Bryant said. "I really
am." Bryant might have custom stickers
cheap gotten some short-term assurances, but there's little chance the Cubs
can convince him he'll become with the club long term, barring a mega-contract
offer. In the mean time, MLB
Major League Baseball Iron On Transfers Arenado has yet to have that
heart-to-heart with management. As relaxed as Bryant was in detailing his
feelings, the Rockies slugger was searching for words. "We always have meetings
and stuff like that," Arenado said. "There is not a lot of talk however. You
will have some meetings, for sure, about the team and how we can get better.
We're trying to win, so a lot of the talks will end up being about that."
Arenado seemed most comfortable when he admitted that this individual and the
front office aren't on the same page. Bryant feels like he got some answers,
while Arenado might still be waiting for his. "I wasn't panicking about it at
all, to be honest," Bryant stated. "It didn't fluster me. These talks are what
they are. They happen and sometimes there's a little bit of friction, but that's
OK." Asked if he believed the lines of communication are open, Arenado paused
for a moment. "I thought there would be more," he responded.