SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Nine miles apart, two superstars started spring Baseball Iron On Transfers training 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 training 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 change in
address might be best. "I don't hold grudges," Arenado said after 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. I'm committed here. I'm right
here and ready to go out there and play 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 exactly 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
season. Colorado was coming off a 91-win time of year 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 the 2021 season has
given Arenado some leverage -- and possibly a ticket out of Chicago
White Sox Super Heroes Logos diy heat transfers town via trade. Just a few
exits down the 101 Highway from Colorado's springtime training home of
Scottsdale, Bryant arrived in Mesa in the mood to talk right custom stickers
cheap away. At 8 a.m. Saturday, he set the record straight: He wants to be
considered a Cub. For the next 35 minutes, at a MLB
Major League Baseball Iron On Transfers table in the media room, he answered
every question. He was at ease, comfortable in his own skin. Bryant's name has
surfaced in trade rumors, in part, because he'll be a free agent after the 2021
season. Like the Red Sox's situation with Mookie Betts, the Cubs don't want to
lose a star 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 had a much-needed meeting with team
management. "It was cool to sit down and get that off our chest and checklist,
and now we move on and I'm ready to win games," Bryant said. "I really am."
Bryant might have 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. Meanwhile, 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. There will be 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 custom
MLB name stickers if he believed the lines of communication are open,
Arenado paused for a moment. "I thought there would be more," he responded.