In the next 12 hours, we’ll learn the fate of Addison Russell – the beleaguered Cubs middle infielder who, for the second consecutive season, struggled at the plate and left plenty to be desired in other ways.
Russell, still just 25 years of age, has hardly lived up to the otherworldly hype that once surrounded him as a top prospect of the Oakland Athletics. Granted, he played an integral role in Chicago’s World Series run three years ago, but even taking that into account, he’s always been a below-average offensive player.
This year, his defense waned, as well – and the Cubs saw their second baseman serve out the remainder of his league-mandated suspension for violating MLB’s domestic abuse policies in recent years.