Cubs reportedly tried to trade Addison Russell |
The Chicago Cubs were exploring all trade options to get better as young shortstop
Addison Russell was linked in trade
talks during the offseason. However, Russell didn't end up getting traded as the 24-year old was just hoping for the best for his future in baseball. “There was a lot of trade talk,” Russell said to the media. “My initial thoughts were, ‘I hope it doesn’t happen, but wherever I go, I’m going to try to bring what I bring to the table here.’” Of course, the Cubs weren't really shopping Russell heavily but more than likely he was available if a team really blew them away with an offer they couldn't say no to. Russell wanted to stay with the Cubs as they have a chance to do something extraordinary the next few years. “It’s a good thing that it doesn’t have to be that way. I’m happy being in a Cubs uniform,” he said. “I want to be in a Cubs uniform, for sure.” He knows that they are pretty solid on the positional players if they play to their capability this season. “Who would want to break that up?” he said. “It’s a beautiful thing. Javy [Baez] and I in the middle. [Kyle] Schwarber sometimes playing catcher but mainly outfield. And [Kris Bryant] over there in the hot corner. And, of course, [Anthony] Rizzo at first. And you’ve got a Gold Glover [Jason Heyward] in right field." Last season in only 110 games, he hit .239 with 12 homers and 43 RBIs. Hopefully, this is the urgent wakeup call that Russell needed, and he will have a breakout season for the Cubs in 2018. Russell on 2018 #Cubs: "It’s a beautiful thing, Javy and I in the middle. ... We have a lineup that can stack up with the best of them." pic.twitter.com/gMdHN1c20L
