Scott Boras: Cubs 'should start trying to win today'

Scott Boras, the outspoken agent who represents Kris Bryant, reiterated Thursday his desire to see the Chicago Cubs give his 23-year-old client a spot on their Opening Day roster.

Last week, Boras opined that dispatching Bryant to the minor leagues to open the season - a move that would afford the Cubs an extra year of control over the young third baseman - would be damaging to the league's ethics and brand.

Boras affirmed his position Thursday while also suggesting the Cubs have an obligation to their fans to field the best team possible after more than a century of futility.

"The opiate of player control cannot supersede the greater importance of MLB's integrity and brand, which says that this is where the best players play. You can't have that," Boras told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "Clearly, there's an obligation to put the best players in the big leagues."

"They haven't won for 100 years, and they should start trying to win today," Boras said. "Cubs fans are paying the third-highest ticket prices. They are paying for the team to win today. They don't pay to see the club do business."

Bryant, the second overall pick in the 2013 draft, leads the majors with nine home runs this spring and boasts a .464 batting average through 11 Cactus League contests, though team officials suggested the youngster could still use some defensive refinement.

"Even if (starting Bryant in the minors is) in the best interests of the Cubs, that doesn't mean it's in the best interest of the league," Boras said. "Everyone else is going to be rightly wondering why the best player isn't out there."