Today was the deadline for teams to offer a contract for the 2020 season for players eligible for arbitration and the big news is that the Cubs declined to offer one to shortstop Addison Russell. Russell is now a free agent, able to sign with any other team.
Six other arbitration-eligible players were offered contracts: infielder Javier Baez and Kris Bryant, outfielders Albert Almora and Kyle Schwarber and catcher Willson Contreras. In addition, right-handed pitcherJharel Cotton, whom the Cubs acquired last week from the Athletics, agreed to a new deal for the 2020 season, avoiding arbitration.