Chicago Cubs: Addison Russell rendering Manny Machado trade irrelevant

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This season the trade rumors fluttering about surrounding Manny Machado have been hot. The Chicago Cubs are one club been linked to the All-Star shortstop. More specifically, Addison Russell has found his name linked in a possible deal. However, Russell’s play could shut that idea down.

Addison Russell has found himself at the center of trade talks all season. As a former top prospect, the idea for the Chicago Cubs of potentially trading Russell had been one taken with a grain of salt.

He has found himself entrenched in a spot in the Cubs lineup with no plans of being moved. That being said, as the Orioles have made the availability of Manny Machado known, someone, if the Cubs did wish to make a move, would inevitably find his way out.

For awhile, that someone was Russell. Now, however, Russell is making that choice for the Cubs a difficult one.

The black sheep

Addison Russell gives off that ‘black sheep’ vibe a lot of the time. For one thing, the potential of Russell’s expectation level has always existed. The notion that Addison Russell is a substantial contributor is hardly seen on a season-to-season basis simply because most people think he is bad. It is not true, however.

The Chicago Cubs acquired Russell a handful of years ago from the Oakland Athletics. At the time, Russell was seen as the next big shortstop star. In his first full season on the North Side, Russell slashed .242/.307/.389 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI. Russell also finished his rookie campaign with a 2.4 WAR.

The following season, Russell posted an even more productive season. When it was all said and done, Russell had his first 20+ home run season, finishing with 21. He also ended with an even higher WAR, at 3.3. It was also good enough for Russell to earn his first career All-Star appearance.

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

What’s the problem?

Despite the two quietly productive seasons, Russell continues to be at the center of all trade talks. The latest rumor, surrounding Orioles star shortstop Manny Machado, suggest the idea that the Cubs could make Russell available in a blockbuster deal.

The general opinion surrounding Russell is quite something. On the one hand, there is a large portion of Cubs Nation who wish to see Russell go and could care less if the Cubs do trade him. On the other hand, many people continue to track Russell this season, finding that he has been, in fact, better.

A quiet consistency

Russell, who is currently slashing .278/.357/.389 with 3 HR and 16 RBI, has already posted a 1.8 WAR and is one of the Cubs most consistent starters on both sides of the ball. Still, Russell is finding himself at the center of a lot of negative trade talk.

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Despite the narrative from many that Russell is bad, this season he is proving his worth. Russell’s production has been stable enough too that the idea of shipping him off in a deal for Machado is beginning to fall by the wayside and for a good reason.

Concerning his advanced production, Russell has a 104 wRC+ and a highly respectable .327 wOBA. Both are career highs for Russell. Conversely, Russell has been extremely productive on the base paths, as he is at a 2.3 BrR through the first 65 games. To put this into context, last season in 110 games, Russell posted just a 1.0 BrR. The base running and aggression are both shining beacons of hope for continued future production from Russell.

On the defensive side of the ball, Russell has been almost better and is also showing himself as one of the best shortstops in the National League.

First, through his first 516 1/3 innings at shortstop, Russell is already at a 9 DRS. Last season, in 808 innings, Russell finished with a 15 DRS. Second, Russells UZR/150 is at 7.8. In the entirety of last season, Russell posted a 6.8 UZR/150. Both of these categories show that Russell is, in fact, a very solid player.

Can it continue?

The production makeup of the Cubs lineup this season is very interesting. Guys like Jason Heyward, who do not always produce, have stepped up considerably. For Russell, as a guy who falls in this tier, the question is whether or not the consistent production will continue.

The Orioles will more than likely request the moon if the club decides to ship their star player off to a new team. Russell, who until the last month, had found himself as a shoe-in as part of a package, if a trade decidedly moved forward.

Now, however, the Cubs need to stop and take a breath and maybe a step back from this notion. Moving Russell in a Machado deal will also garner much of the Cubs farm system following Russell to Baltimore.

Next: Heyward silencing his critics with his play this season

As ‘Addi’ continues his above-average production, he will hopefully continue to balance, the Cubs find themselves in a new mode, one with less chaos, the team would be wise to hold on to Russell and keep to help him develop. For now, however, Addison Russell sure is doing an excellent job shutting that narrative entirely down.

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