Kris Bryant Gets 'Mixed Messages' Amid Promotion Timeline Drama

(CBS) A day after agent Scott Boras called out the Cubs' desire to win this season as it appears prized prospect Kris Bryant will begin the season in the minor leagues, Bryant praised the organization but admitted he's picked up "mixed messages."

In comments to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal on Tuesday, Boras said: "Cubs ownership has a choice -- are they going to present to their market that they are trying to win? Tom Ricketts said they were all about winning." Those were in regards to the Cubs likely keeping Bryant in the minor leagues for several weeks to open the season, so that they can control one more season on the back end of his contract.

Bryant was aware ahead of time that Boras was going to criticize the Cubs, and he defended his agent by saying, "It's nice to have a bulldog working for you instead of a poodle -- he definitely sticks up for his players, and he wants the best for them."

Bryant also shed light on how he's stuck in the middle of the controversy.

"The ownership here has been great to me, drafting me second overall," Bryant told the Chicago Tribune. "They're treated me with nothing but first class. I've had a great time. Tom (Ricketts) is great to me. Everybody in the front office is great to me, so I have nothing but good things to say about them. At the same time, I'm hearing from my teammates that they all want me up and that I'm doing well. Everybody's telling me I'm progressing well. It's kind of sending mixed messages to me. But it definitely is refreshing to hear from your teammates that they want me up there and even other coaches around the league that I happen to know personally from the Fall League and stuff are telling me how well I'm doing. I definitely don't let it get to my head. I have a job to do on the field."

This debate has gained more steam as Bryant has shined in spring training, hitting six homers in his first 20 at-bats.

"It's always been a dream of mine to play in the big leagues, and I'd like to get there as soon as possible," Bryant said according to the Tribune. "I think the spring I'm having has me in a pretty good position. We're told to go out there and win a spot, and I really took that to heart at the beginning of the spring. I really feel I came out here with a chip on my shoulder and really wanted to play as hard as I can."