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The Cubs have parted ways with Addison Russell this evening, non tendering the infielder for a 2020 contract. After five years with the team, Russell is now a free agent.
The 25-year old was suspended for 40 games at the end of the 2018 season after violating the leagues domestic violence policy, a suspension that bled into the 2019 season. Despite serving this suspension for being a domestic abuser, the Cubs still chose to tender Russell a contract in 2019. He repaid them by slashing .237/.308/.391 with 21 RBIs, including a visit to Triple-A Iowa.
Theo Epstein released a statement on Russell’s release, reports The Athletic Chicago’s Sahadev Sharma, saying, “We decided to non-tender Addison Russell today simply because the role we expected him to play for the 2020 Cubs was inconsistent with how he would have been treated in the salary arbitration process.” He also noted the team’s continued dedication to combating domestic violence and supporting Russell’s self improvements and his family.
The Cubs acquired Russell during the 2014 trade deadline from Oakland, sending them Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel.