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Chicago Cubs: The Addison Russell suspension could lead to offseason decisions

By Benjamin Chase

MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 05: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs anticipates a pitch during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 5, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 05: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs anticipates a pitch during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 5, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Cubs
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 23: Asddrubal Cabrera #13 of the Philadelphia Phillies in position during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs options: Signing depth

With the option of playing Baez at shortstop and Zobrist at second, the Chicago Cubs don’t necessarily need to pursue a big-time guy, even if they do move on from Russell, though the guy they replace him with on the roster would need the ability to fill in around the infield. Luckily, this may be the perfect offseason to pick up just that type of player.

Asdrubal Cabrera, Marwin Gonzalez, Daniel Descalso, Eduardo Escobar, Logan Forsythe, and Jed Lowrie are all on the market this offseason and could be perfect to pick up for a multiple position option.

The primary focus for the Cubs, in this case, would certainly be Escobar or Gonzalez. Escobar was traded this offseason from the Twins to the Diamondbacks, but before he was moved, he helped to cover shortstop for the Twins due to a suspension to their starting shortstop to open 2018. Escobar put together an impressive overall season, combining for a .272/.334/.489 line with 48 doubles and 23 home runs. His 48 doubles were second in all of the majors.

The Astros will likely make a strong push to keep Gonzalez, who has been a mainstay in their organization now for a number of years, but the Cubs should certainly make a strong push for the position-flexible switch-hitter. Gonzalez has reached 500 plate appearances each of the last three seasons, and over those three years, he’s averaged a .268/.331/.445 line with 17 home runs and 7 stolen bases while playing around the infield and outfield for Houston.

Certainly, having flexibility is a focus for the Chicago Cubs, and that’s something the Cubs have always emphasized, so any of the other mentioned players would work well as well. What if the Cubs chose instead to go big for a guy who would focus at one position?

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