Chicago Cubs should consider dangling Addison Russell this offseason

CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 11: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after striking out in the fourth inning during game four of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on October 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Russell has not progressed offensively

When Addison Russell was traded from the Oakland Athletics to the Chicago Cubs in 2014, he was ranked as the 11th-best prospect in the league. Giving up Jeff Samardzija was a bit distressing at the time because it meant the Cubs spent yet another season as the cellar-dweller of the league. But Russell was an exciting shortstop prospect with a remarkably high ceiling.

He made his major league debut in 2015. In 142 games he slashed .242/.307/.389 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI. Those are reasonably productive numbers for a 21-year-old rookie. Two years later? More of the same. In fact, he’s regressed in some ways.

Now, Russell compiled 95 runs batted in last year. That’s the first point people will rush to when they’re yelling in the comments about why I’m way off-base here. This isn’t to detract from Russell’s accomplishments, but we put too much stock into the RBI stat and what it means.

Russell has not progressed offensively

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