The Chicago Cubs have yet to make a decision on Addison Russell. After reading the full details of the abuse suffered by his ex-wife, Melisa Reidy, he should never see the diamond again.
The clock has been ticking when it comes to the Chicago Cubs and Addison Russell. Since he was suspended for 40 games for domestic assault, there has been questions about his future in Chicago. Even though the Cubs did tender him a contract, that really meant nothing. All it did was extend the window for the team to make a decision, not really providing any sort of a resolution as to Russell’s future.
That decision may have been made for the Cubs. In a lengthy interview, Reidy detailed the years of abuse she suffered at Russell’s hand. The details are quite graphic, and include how he tried to trip her during her pregnancy, his constant escalation to physical confrontations after their son Aiden was born, and his constant mental abuse. It is truly sickening to read.
One has to wonder how much of this information was available when the Cubs decided to tender Russell a contract. Or how many of the details given in the interview were known to Major League Baseball when Russell was handed his 40 game suspension. Then again, how much did the Cubs, or MLB for that matter, truly want to discover?
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This situation feels similar to what happened to Ray Rice back in 2014. The former Ravens running back had been recorded by security cameras punching and kicking his now wife in an elevator, and then dragging her out. He was initially suspended for the first two games of that season, but then the video was released for everyone to see. After the suspension, he was released by the Ravens, never to play in the NFL again.
Russell getting 40 games, even with the limited details that came out regarding his abuse, seemed light. It was only the fifth longest suspension for domestic violence that had been handed down, essentially a slap on the wrist. And then, to find out the systematic and continual nature of his abuse of Reidy?
It is possible that the Cubs, or MLB, revisit this punishment. Public perception and outrage still carry weight, even in the “win at all costs” nature of sports. Teams are ready to forgive and forget, as long as the player appear genuine in their contrition. Just look at how the Astros, who made quite a bit of noise about character, eagerly traded for Roberto Osuna when he became available. Hey, banners fly forever.
The Cubs are not innocent in that regards either. They traded for Aroldis Chapman in 2016, the year he had been suspended for domestic violence. For those three months, they rode Chapman like a rented mule, squeezing every possible out from him en route to their first World Series championship in 108 years. All was forgiven when the Curse of the Billy Goat was laid to rest.
While teams will willingly look the other way if a player can help them win, that is not the same for marginal players. That was the case with Derek Norris, who has not found work after his suspension in 2017. Russell, despite his youth, has not become the player the Cubs had hoped for. His offense has regressed dramatically, and there are plenty of solid defensive shortstops available.
It is not often that a team would walk away from a 25 year old former top prospect. Especially if there was some track record of major league success, as Russell did make the 2016 All Star Game. However, these are not normal circumstances. This is about more than what Russell can contribute on the diamond – it is about the circus that will surround him with the details that have come to light. Is this something that the Cubs, or any other team for that matter, want to put up with?
Ray Rice never set foot on the gridiron after the video of his assault on his then fiancee came out. The Chicago Cubs should look at that history, and give Addison Russell the same treatment Rice received. Just like Rice, Russell should see his career come to an end.