Chicago Cubs: Agreements reached with all arbitration eligible players

Chicago Cubs: Russell, Schwarber agree to terms

Everyone in baseball has been wondering what the Cubs would do with Addison Russell during arbitration.  Some thought they’d cut the young infielder loose; others believe that with a below expectations arbitration contract that he might be traded.

Russell and the Cubs reached agreement at $3.4 million for 2019 with an additional $600K if he is on the active roster 150 days.  We shall see if that is discount enough to move the slick-fielding shortstop who has struggled at the plate the past two seasons and has a remaining 29 games of a 40 game suspension for violating MLB’s Domestic Violence policy.

Kyle Schwarber rounds out the hitters, no pun intended, with a $3.39 million contract in his first year of arbitration.  Perhaps of all the young Cubs mentioned in trade rumors, Schwarber is most often mentioned.  Perhaps more than any other of the young Cubs, with two more arbitration years left Schwarber’s likely future with Cubs will be determined this season.