Chicago Cubs buying time with Addison Russell

In a somewhat surprising move, the Chicago Cubs decided to tender a contract to shortstop Addison Russell. All this does is buy them a bit more time.

With the deadline to offer a contract coming up, the Chicago Cubs had a decision to make with shortstop Addison Russell. On one hand, there is the value that he provides in the field – a slick fielding shortstop with a bit of pop and decent contact abilities. On the other hand, Russell is set to miss the first month of the 2019 season due to his 40 game suspension for domestic violence. There was plenty of speculation as to whether the Cubs would look to keep Russell, find a trade partner, or simply cut him loose.

On Friday, the Cubs did not exactly come to a decision. They tendered Russell a contract, which was a bit of a surprising choice, but that does not guarantee that he will be in Chicago at the start of next season. Instead, this move simply buys the Cubs more time.

Even by tendering a contract to Russell, the Cubs are not taking a financial risk. This contract is not guaranteed, allowing Chicago to simply move on if they feel he is not worth the headache. This also allows any team potentially interested in trading for his services to have a bit of certainty, knowing the potential deal that would be in place.

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However, it is not a guarantee that the Cubs would be able to find a taker for the embattled shortstop, even at a discounted price. The former top prospect has not exactly lived up to his billing thus far in his career, with a lifetime .242/.313/.392 batting line, hitting 51 homers and 96 doubles.

Not only is Russell dealing with his suspension, but he is coming off of what was a career worst season in 2018. He produced an anemic .250/.317/.340 batting line with five homers and 21 doubles in 465 plate appearances. His 74 OPS+, home runs, double, and slugging numbers were the worst of his four years in the majors.

There is still time for the Cubs to walk away from Russell if they wanted to. Yet, this is the franchise that traded for Aroldis Chapman at the trade deadline in 2016, and had been linked to former Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna before he was traded to the Astros. The Cubs may well be hoping for the uproar to quiet, and then welcome him back into the fold if they feel he will help their chances next year.

The Chicago Cubs may have tendered a contract to Addison Russell, but that does not mean anything. All it does is buy some time while they determine their next move.