Report: Cubs weighing Russell's future
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[November 05, 2018]    The Cubs are weighing the future of shortstop Addison Russell as he serves a 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's joint domestic violence policy, according to a report from The Athletic.

 

Russell, who will turn 25 in January, is eligible to return May 3 next season. But it remains to be seen whether the Cubs will welcome him back.

The All-Star shortstop's future is "up in the air" as baseball executives gather for the annual general managers' meetings this week in Carlsbad, Calif., reported The Athletic's Patrick Mooney.

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said the issue transcends baseball.

"We have to understand that with all of our words and actions going forward, whether we know it or not, we're sending messages to our fans, who all have their own unique backgrounds and histories and sensitivities and perspectives that's important," he said to reporters after the end of the season. "But I honestly, personally, think the most important thing going forward is to be part of the solution. And to focus on -- not to sound really corny about this -- but making this a better place and making sure this doesn't happen again going forward. Especially on our watch and trying to control what we can control.

"So being there for our players, for their spouses, for their families, maybe putting some systems in place to help and be very proactive. That's what I'm thinking about."

Russell was suspended after his ex-wife posted detailed allegations of both physical and verbal abuse during their marriage, sometimes in front of their young child, she claimed.

The Cubs acquired Russell in 2014 as part of a deal that sent pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Oakland Athletics. Russell has hit .242 with 51 homers and 230 RBIs in 533 career games and was a key part of the Cubs' 2016 World Series championship team.

--Field Level Media

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