The Cubs announced today that they have tendered a contract to embattled shortstop Addison Russell. Like any other standard arbitration situation, it’s a non-guaranteed deal.
Russell’s status with the Chicago organization was (and to some extent still is) in doubt. He is slated to sit out the first month of the 2019 campaign as he finishes serving a 40-game suspension under the MLB-MLBPA Joint Domestic Violence Policy. That punishment was handed down following allegations from Russell’s ex-wife, Melisa Reidy. (She spoke with ESPNChicago.com’s Jesse Rogers about the situation recently, for those unfamiliar with the details.)
Many wondered whether the Cubs would trade or non-tender Russell as a result of the troubling allegations, which involved conduct during his time with the organization. Instead, the club will take at least a partial step toward retaining the shortstop, though certainly he could still be cut loose or traded. Russell and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein each issued statements through the team’s Twitter feed. Russell is projected by MLBTR to earn $4.3MM via arbitration; his salary has yet to be determined, so far as is publicly known.
Not too surprising, although I still don’t think he’s playing in Chicago this year. Has 3 options left, Cubs can still cut or trade him.
I would assume they’ll try to trade him. They can cut him if there’s no takers.
Giving Theo the benefit of the doubt, I guess.
He’s out the first month+ and they could choose to put him in the minors after that if they wanted to. I’d think they’d try to get something for him, maybe they just keep him in Iowa for a while.
Why would they keep him in Iowa
I don’t know. With LaStella and now Torreyes out, it looks to me like they plan on keeping him around.
I hope he gets a chance at redemption. People can change and become better people. He’s so young that while as crappy as his action were, he can still learn and make amends.
Well said.
I think you miss the point. This dude has had a couple incidents and I think the general feeling is you have to earn a second chance. The general message here is business over integrity. The message is even more surprising because it seems he has very little value even on the trade market, so it’s just creates bad optics.
What “couple of incidents” has Russell had? This is the first time I’m hearing of anything other than his domestic violence charge.
Is it not obvious to you that the issue here isn’t one single DV episode…
Says a lot about your values that a dv charge isn’t a deal breaker, period.
But MLB loves nothing more than giving “second chances” and millions of dollars to dirtbags like him who deserve nothing, so I guess you fit right in.
It’s not bad optics. They obviously could find no takers before this or I believe they would’ve moved him. But this could be his wake up call. I’m sure his agent and Theo have told him this is his moment of truth. They know him better than any of us do and if they sense nothing’s changing, he’s gonna be gone. But non tendering him now would just be dumb.
I’d rather be “dumb” than a foul, morally bankrupt scumbag who’s okay handing millions to someone who beats his wife
I’m just here for the comments.
I’m here for this comment.
…they told me there’d be dancing girls and brew……
ey will be here soon with a six pack of Rolling Rocks.
If he can have another breakout year like 2016 he’ll be fine. They could easily get a solid #3 starter for him. If they traded him. I still dont believe he did what his wifes friend said he did. That’s kinda like a double standard. The claim never even came from his wife. Or even him. Total BS if you ask me.
Well its all said and done at this point MLB administered their punishment. Just move forward and hopefully its a chance for him to “prove” himself again.
“I offer my heartfelt apology to my family and my former wife Melisa for my past behavior”
Addison Russell
wgntv.com/2018/10/03/addison-russells-ex-wife-spea…
That’s him saying sorry for her going through all this investigation bs.
He’s sorry he has to face (freaking miniscule) consequences
So you missed the while big story about his ex-wife very detailed blog post documenting a pattern of some very disturbing behavior on Russell’s part that lead to his suspension?
It was not some second hand account that led to the disciplinary action
They’d be lucky to get a bag of balls for this loser
It’s not even as if he is that good
His grand slam in game 6 of World Series was nice .
Were you even awake in 2016? It was all there to see that year and in the playoffs. What’s happened between his ears since then is another story but the kid has (had?) tremendous talent.
He’s a grown man not a child and all the talent in the universe cannot redeem him.
Garbage
Theo and Russell both released statements on addressing the suspension, the behavior that led to it and why they are keeping him. Too long to post it here
It’s worth reading though. I hope everyone finds it and reads it before commenting on the personal details of his life.
I read his statement. I want him off my team.
it’s not your team
I live in Chicago, so, as far as I’m concerned, yes, it is. More than the owner or the general manager, a team belongs to its fans. They need us to buy tickets, watch games on TV, buy jerseys and bobble heads. And it’s hard to want to do that for a team that tacitly supports domestic violence.
in no way do the Cubs support domestic violence tacitly or otherwise . I’m glad you read it though.
I heard the Redskins want him.
Actually Christian 21, it’s not your team. And no, they do not need you watching their games on tv, buying bobble heads, or jerseys. Any good front office can generate revenue without people like you. If you don’t like the moves they make, like the one that got them Chapman and a World Series, then go root for someone else.
Not much choice in Chicago
Both teams suck
Yeah, four straight playoff appearances really sucks.
It’s about winning it all…
More often than once a century too
Yeah, nothing classier than a Mets/Yankees homer trolling a Cub’s article. Bravely written.
Good one
Ok christian21, the cubs will employ Addison Russell once he served his suspension and that means the Cubs are “tactile supporting domestic violence.” Do you dislike other companies that hire or don’t fire employees after having domestic violence disputes or does it just apply to baseball teams?
Do we actually know that Chapman got them a World Series? They steamrolled their way to the NL pennant and he almost cost them game 7.
Typical cub answer just like when they got wife beater Chapman. It doesn’t bother the cubs at all. That’s the cub way evidently. Can’t stand that organization.
This coming from a Cardinals fan, whose organization two years ago had a player get drunk in the offseason, drive a car, kill himself and his INNOCENT girlfriend. Yet, the Cardinal way was to honor his memory all year by wearing an “OT” patch. Precious. The Cubs answered it—are transparent about it and whether it is just rhetoric or not—-they answered it. They did not tender him without statement. They have owned up to their responsibility.
Poor judgement but S*** happens
Cubs had garage shooting Chapman for 2 months the Yankees signed him to 5 years
Please accept Oscar Taveras’s invitation to drink in hell.
Idiot response but coming from a cub fan very understandable.
All of you need to stop this bull?!?!…this is so obsurd and you need to find a better use for your time…arguing over who is worse morally…worry about yourself and let the dead RIP and forgive others because neither of us are perfect
Absurd sorry
There there, cards81. I just like to roll in the mud with themed sometimes.
Taveras paid the ultimate price, unfortunately.
themed… That venting didn’t go so well, did it….?
Certainly, the Baseball Operations & field staff side didn’t appear to understand the seriousness of such issues (Chapman & Russell). The initial Maddon/Epstein press conference was tone deaf and borderline unconscionable. After the backlash, I am certain that side of the organization will take the issue much more seriously going forward. With that said, I would expect Addison Russell’s future with the organization to be an ownership decision w/ no input from baseball operations. IMO, keeping Russell would be untenable for the Chicago Cubs Organization.
*Pat Hughes Voice* I’ve got breaking news! Cubs just traded for Kareem Hunt!
Bill Smith, breaking news, you’re terrible at this. You stand on a soap box, yet make jokes about abuse. Seems a little childish, you have a logical opinion, but then you reveal yourself later to be a typical troll
Mate there is no Bill Smith. I run at lest 30 bots on this site to drive traffic.
Right and you’re terrible at your job. Quality, and quantity are two very different things. Enjoy
Isn’t that like being a slave owner?
I think he plays in Chicago, Cubs won’t sell low on him. Besides, if you read the statement from Theo about becoming part of the solution, I’ll think you’ll find a trade unlikely. The Cubs aren’t going to let off-the-field moral concerns affect how they field a baseball team and good for them. The legal system can handle legal problems.
Hopefully Addison Russell will take this show of faith from the Cubs to redeem himself as a human being. From their perspective, there aren’t too many accomplished 24-year old MLB shortstops who possess an accumulative WAR of 12.0 over their first 4 seasons. Despite Russell’s seeming under-achievement offensively, his caliber of talent doesn’t just fall off of trees.
I’m not surprised. Cubs hopped on the Aroldis Chapman train, too.
Hope Russell never plays in MLB again. Not too many ex-cons get good jobs so why should he? He served the MLB equivalent of jail time (not enough) so no MLB job for him. There’s always the independent league.
Most ex-cons don’t provide something of value that’s in great demand. Very few are among the best in the world at something in great demand. I can’t help but think sometimes that comments like this are made primarily by people who work really hard and don’t make much money, which is simply a product of them not being good at something that society places a high value on. Its like they’re angry that they can’t do what they want and keep their job, they have to behave a certain way to keep their income. And its like they’re angry that he’s good enough to do something terrible and still makes lots of money, while these people have to work really hard for a lot less. It’s jealousy mostly. I don’t at all condone what Russell did, but these people who think that the same rules should apply to Russell that apply to them I think I like less. If you want to make lots of money, get good at something that someone values.
Buncha snowflakes can’t handle the truth. lol
Keep them downvotes comin’.
Wonder how many of these hardline commenters have ever received second chances. It would be a terrible message to just cut Russell. He’s only 24 and has stepped up with the most honest apology and statement I’ve ever seen from a pro athlete, and there have been many. Remember there have never been charges filed, only allegations. I commend the Cubs choice to support Russell. Everybody deserves a second chance!
We’ve all gotten second chances. But I’d like to believe most of us didn’t need them because we chronically abused our wives for years. This wasn’t a one time slip-up, this was years of abuse.
I do hope Addison Russell turns his life around and learns something from this. But he shouldn’t do in a professional baseball uniform. I’ve gone to games and seen children wearing his uniforms. That they might continue to because the Cubs have given him the thumbs up is disgusting.
Where do you get the facts about “years of abuse”?
I also doubt that his uni is selling after the allegations came out.
The organization can be a huge factor in helping him to change his life. Without a job or support…that is not the best situation to put a person in and expect positive change.
BTW, Russell was only married a little over one year.
He was with her for longer than that. By the time they got married, their son was already like six months old. Also, is your point that a year of what sounded like near-constant abuse is somehow okay? If not, then I don’t get what quibbling over the amount of time does to support your argument.
You don’t KNOW any of what you’ve written is true. Most of what you wrote is only opinion. You wanna have a conversation? Leave some room for other ideas.
Or maybe the children will learn that a real man turns away from his bad behavior and learns to do better, that it’s not too late to change. If you hide him he can’t be an example or a force for good in the world. I’m taking a wait and see approach to this.
Also, someone needs to tell the kids they should all be wearing Rizzo or Bryant jerseys…just sayin.
Well said! People need to see positive results so they know that even the worst decisions can be righted.
I think no matter what Addison Russell does now, his opportunity to be a “real man” flew out the window when he laid a hand on the mother of his child.
So at 24 now he can never learn and become a real man. Wow. Insane comment
Years of abuse? Haha ok. What the heck are you babbling about. Years huh
Now I don’t have to type my comment. Well said sir.
Personally, I think he’s only the 5th or 6th best infielder on the team, but he has time and talent on his side.
Ha ha if it were up to most commenters heaven would be empty
Yah, his publicist did a great job with his apology.
Let’s be real. The only reason you commend the Cubs is because you’re clearly a Cubs fan and think Russell can help the team.
Lets be real Priggs. Everyone has their statements prepared
Cubs always support the wife beaters club
BLM!
Bots Lives Matter
They gotta keep him or get another one. Cubs haven’t won the World Series in over 100 years without a wife beater on their team. Maybe ever
Yea but when is the last time your team won Sully
Sounds like a lot of bitter Cards fan.
Not bitter at all. The Cardinals have won twice as many Championships this century than the cubs have for the last 100 years. Why be bitter?
Maybe despite all those championships you’ve never beaten the Cubs in a playoff series. The Cubs have won every one of them. Keep trolling.
Yes, the tables certainly turned after that, didn’t they? Jaime Garcia throwing away a Kyle Hendricks bunt and it’s never been the same.
That’s because before the last couple of years the cubs could never make the playoffs
1998, 2003, 2007, 2008, but okay, they’ve “never” made the playoffs before the last couple of years.
themed and his Alzheimers strikes again.
Unless they’re all of a sudden going to allow 2 NL teams to play for the World Series, losing head-to-head in the playoffs doesn’t really mean much…
It meant a lot to me.
Did they ever get past the 1st round in any of those playoffs.
You mean that one Series they played each other?
Yeah, they got past the first round in 2003
Why be bitter when you can be smug?
And a one-trick pony.
Just shut up and go home and beat your mom cub lover!
I detect a whimper in your voice as you wrote that.
@themed
I thought you were not bitter? Oh hahahahahaha the Cubs won and you still cant get over it or the popularity of the Cubs.
You are sooo bitter.
Because that was a long time ago themed. Face it you are sooo bitter!
“I am so proud of the Cub organization by giving Addison Russell a second chance “ – OJ Simpson
I guess you meant that to be funny?
I believe this is the right move. Arbitration contracts are non guaranteed. As long as Addy continues to make progress changing his life he has the opportunity to continue playing for the Cubs. He screws up and they release him/dfa.
I also think these statements from Theo suggest that the Cubs are NOT going to trade their problem away to another team. He either will be a Cub or they will simply DFA him if he relapses or continues with the same behavior.
So many people/fans simply want Cubs to cut Russell so they don’t have to look at the problem of domestic abuse or to simply feel good about themselves believing domestic abuse no longer exists if Addy is no longer a Cub.. I believe the correct answer is to make a difference by trying to be apart of the solution. And I imagine that a term of Addy Russel continuing to have a Roster spot with a non guaranteed arb contract is that he also has to follow an agreed upon rehabilitation program b/w cubs &himself.
“Well said ACK!! I agree with you 100%” – Kareem Hunt
This site was wise in not allowing comments on the article when Addison Russell was actually suspended. Unfortunately, it’s getting to the point here where they ought to consider re-visiting that decision.
It’s all buried under dozens of other posts today. Jeffery doesn’t have time to moderate.us tonight.
There’s so many teams with huge shortstop holes. Someone will take a chance on him. Unfortunate situation. But he’s young hopefully he can learn from it. I could c a team like Tampa or Baltimore trying to buy low on him.
Chiefs release Kareem Hunt….that’s how a classy organization should handle these situations. The Cubs should think of the victim and not accumulative WAR of 12.0 over the last four years
Says the hatemonger named fake news
I’m sure if a video surfaced like the one hunt is in Russell would be gone and no fan would support him. It happened in February and hunt has played all games up until now. Not like chiefs cut him the day after incident .