Chicago Cubs: Are the Cubs moving on from Addison Russell?

Recent reports have suggested that the Chicago Cubs wanted Troy Tulowitzki to be their full-time shortstop. Could the team be moving on from Addison Russell?

Though there are many unknowns remaining for the Chicago Cubs heading into 2019, one thing is certain. Addison Russell will not be the starting shortstop for the Cubs on Opening Day. Whether or not he dons a Cubs uniform again in his career remains to be seen.

Russell will be serving a suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy after his ex-wife accused him of domestic abuse during their time together.

The situation could further be complicated by new accusations against Russell that surfaced in January. The mother of one of Russell’s children, Mallory Engstrom, shared details of Russell’s mistreatment and neglect of their child and his refusal to pay court-ordered child support.

The new allegations could prompt Major League Baseball (or the Cubs) to take further action against Russell. As of right now, he will be eligible to return to the field on May 3.

At the very least, the Cubs continue to search for other options at shortstop while Russell serves his suspension. According to a recent report, the Cubs had wanted veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to be their starting shortstop. Tulowitzki ultimately signed a one-year deal with the New York Yankees.

It’s a bit unclear whether or not the Cubs wanted Tulowitzki to be the starting shortstop for the entire season, but it’s certain that the Cubs are at least pursuing other options while Russell is out.

Russell had already issued a statement and apology after Ms. Reidy shared initial details of the alleged abuse. If the league finds that Russell committed other forms or instances of abuse, there’s a very good possibility that the league adds more time on to his 40-game suspension.

Were that to happen, it would be hard to envision the Cubs sticking with Russell moving forward. It would be possible that Russell would not return until close to or even after the All-Star break.

Though Russell was tender a contract at the end of November, it is not a definitive commitment to retaining him. Just a few weeks after the contract was tendered, Ms. Reidy gave a lengthy interview detailing just how abusive Russell was towards her and their children.

Because it’s not known how much information the Cubs had on the alleged abuse when they tendered a contract to Russell, the new information from Ms. Reidy and Ms. Engstrom could be exactly why the Cubs pursued Tulowitzki and may just be looking to cut ties with Russell entirely.