Chicago Cubs: Addison Russell social distancing to South Korea

Once a superstar in the making with the Chicago Cubs, Addison Russell will now try to work his way back in the KBO.

Addison Russell was supposed to be the perennial MVP candidate for the Chicago Cubs while playing top-notch defense at the shortstop position for the next decade. Len Kasper even went as far as calling him a “future MVP” at the Cubs Ring Ceremony. But after a series of allegations by his ex-wife and a suspension that followed, Russell was non-tendered by the Cubs this offseason.

And with the coronavirus pandemic putting everything on hold, it was the worst time to be released and have bad character. Russell, 26, is headed off to South Korea in an attempt to rebuild himself as a person and as a baseball player.

Setting aside the domestic abuse allegations, lest we forget how bad Russell was following the 2016 World Series heroics. After smacking 21 bombs and 95 RBI during the regular season, Russell hit a pivotal grand slam in Game 6 of the World Series.

But he followed that with .239, .250, and .237 averages in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. Last year, he looked so lost in the field, especially in late July when he committed several blunders in the field, which ultimately led to his demotion.

I am by no means an Addison Russell-stan, but that would end up being a cool story if he ultimately changes his character for the better. Also, the KBO (or overseas play in general) has proven to rejuvenate players’ careers.

Miles Mikolas had a 6.44 ERA in ten starts during the 2014 season before spending two years figuring some things out while pitching for the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He returned to the majors in 2017, looking like a completely different pitcher, leading the NL with 18 wins during the 2018 campaign.

I hope for Addison’s sake, as a person and a baseball player, the KBO changes his life.