Chicago Cubs Rumors: Addison Russell to stick around?

The Chicago Cubs have a decision to make about one of their young players, and many agree that the decision is an easy one.

This last season was quite the ride for the Chicago Cubs. Despite housing a lot of talent at many positions, the club never reached their ultimate potential. Whether it was due to major injuries or simply a lack of execution, the fact is, the Cubs significantly underperformed in 2018.

One of the many storylines we saw take shape over the course of the Cubs’ 2018 campaign was that of shortstop Addison Russell. Without going into too much detail about the actual situation itself, Russell was suspended 40 games by the MLB for his involvement in a domestic violence case.

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The team itself did a phenomenal job of keeping Russell’s circumstances in-house and not letting it blow up on them, primarily because Russell was excused from the team on September 21st in order to allow him to deal with the matter at hand.

Now that the season is over, the Cubs face a decision. Russell’s contract goes through 2021 and the Cubs could go one of three directions with him.

Although most would have assumed the Cubs will attempt to trade Russell, or let him go completely, that may not end up being reality. Per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the Cubs are seriously considering bringing Russell back following the completion of his suspension.

Personally, I am on the train that says to find a way to either deal him or actually part ways with him altogether if there is no trade partner to be had. The situation going on with Russell is not one that a club with championship aspirations needs going on in the background of the organization.

But, because of what we heard Theo Epstein say in his closing press conference this year, Cubs fans should not be totally in shock if they decided to keep Russell around. Remember, Epstein sounded very supportive of Russell and did not seem like he was making a rash decision in the future:

"“Addy [Russell], in my opinion, also should not just be completely dismissed. I think he deserves our support and our help going forward too. I think the fact MLB includes in their determination that there is an evaluation and treatment going forward, that is something we should fully support and support Addy participating in.”"

Let us not forget, the Cubs dealt for Aroldis Chapman after he had been involved in a similar situation as Russell. The Cubs won it all in 2016, in large part due to the success of Chapman on the mound.

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It remains to be seen what the Cubs will do here, but again, it looks more likely now, that Russell stays put, than it did just weeks ago.

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