Chicago Cubs officially non-tender Addison Russell
Addison Russell’s disappointing time with the Chicago Cubs has officially come to an end with the team non-tendering him on Monday.
Addison Russell was officially non-tendered by the Chicago Cubs on Monday in a move most saw coming for quite some time. For the Cubs organization, it came a year too late. Many fans criticized the organizations decision to tender him last season.
Russell was as highly touted as a prospect as any and he fell out of grace rather quickly. The disappointing piece of Russell’s personal life is well-documented, with him serving a 40 game suspension as a result of MLB’s investigation of alleged domestic violence involving his ex-wife.
He was supposed to be the Cubs answer at either middle infield spots but ended up disappointing everyone both on and off the field. On the field, Russell was never able to match the success of his 2016 All-Star season in which he slashed .238/.321/.417 with 21 home runs and 95 RBI’s and helped the Cubs end their World Series drought.
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He ended this past season hitting a career-low .237/.308/.391 with just nine home runs and 23 RBI’s in 82 games. With this type of performance plus his off the field issues, there was no legitimate reason for the Cubs to keep him.
What happens now? I’m not sure. I don’t think I can see anyone offering him a major league contract. Not only would the fan backlash be significant for any team who would offer such a contract, his playing ability simply doesn’t justify the investment.
I think the best he can do is hope for a minor league contract and that a change of scenery will help him correct his problems at the plate. I think even if a team did offer him such a contract they would need to have proper support in place for him so his off the field troubles do not follow him to a new organization.
Next. The Cubs all decade team. dark
I honestly think this is the end of the road for him in the major leagues. He is simply too much of a risk with not a whole lot of upside, plus you could alienate most of your fan base. I would be astonished if any team signed him as a free agent.