Chicago Cubs: Addison Russell’s return is a media circus

The Chicago Cubs have been on fire lately, but Addison Russell’s return to the team has caused a media frenzy begging the question if it was the right move.

The Chicago Cubs promoted previously suspended shortstop (now second basemen) Addison Russell to the big leagues on Wednesday after Ben Zobrist asked for a leave of absence citing personal reasons.

Russell was suspended 40 games by Major League Baseball for violating the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy late last season. He missed the first 30 games of this season but was able to start playing at Triple-A Iowa at end of April.

Cubs President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein, said that Russell would remain there for quite some time despite being eligible to return on May 3. Well, it did not take long as he was promoted on May 8 due to Zobrist being placed on the restricted list.

It has been nothing but a media circus since and this is exactly what I was afraid of. Rightfully so, but every move he has made since being recalled has been reported by the media. Russell received a chorus of boos in his at-bat at home and on Thursday he went off the script:

"“I’m a baseball player for the Chicago Cubs,” he said. “I’m one of the dudes in this clubhouse. I’m one of the guys who goes out there and puts his [body] on the line. We do it because we love it. We want to win, and we want to bring another championship to Chicago. And if hometown fans want to boo someone that’s trying to help bring the team a World Series again, then that’s on them.” – via Suntimes"

Someone in his camp must have told him that he cannot be flying off the handle like that as his next statement issued was that “I have nothing but respect for the fans.” Russell said it is his goal to get the respect of the fans but his teammates have his conditional support right now.

I am all for the team wanting to help Russell through this, but my personal feelings are that the team should have released him and worked with him behind the scenes. This cannot be good for a team that has found its groove after a terrible start to the season. Every other piece of news that I see Cubs related is something about Addison Russell.

Setting aside the domestic violence, Russell has been terrible at the plate the past two seasons. Per Fangraphs, he had a wRC+ of just 85 and 80 in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The team recently signed David Bote to a five-year extension and he has played both third and second base this season. While he is not as good of a fielder as Russell, I think his bat more than makes up for it.

I don’t get the front office standing by Russell at all and felt that they have handled this whole thing very poorly. It has been nothing but a negative situation and I really did not want that to return to the clubhouse.

My hope is that Russell can build up enough trade to unload him for a middle reliever but who knows if that will happen at this point.