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Geoff Burke - USA Today Sports
Geoff Burke - USA Today Sports

Cubs News: Maddon on playing status of Russell: "There are a lot of ifs"


by - Senior Editor -

One of the main topics of the Cubs offseason has been the passionate debate about the future of young shortstop Addison Russell.

Russell has been suspended without pay for the first month (28 games) of 2019 for violating the joint domestic violence policy last season.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon spoke to the media at his annual Thankmas dinner on Thursday and talked about Russell's possible opportunity to play again with the team.

"There are a lot of ifs involved in this situation," Maddon said. "One of the big ifs is that Addison does everything to get back here in the first place. If he does that and everybody is satisfied with that progress, him and us, then you give him the opportunity to be the shortstop again. Right now, our focus is for him to become the best human being he can possibly become. When all those boxes are checked and satisfied, then you give him the chance to be a shortstop again. I have spoken to him a bit. He seems to be in a good place trying to move in the right direction. The 'if ' word is still attached to this entire scenario. We will wait and see."

Russell hit .250 with five homers, 38 RBIs, a .657 OPS, and an on-base percentage of .317 in 130 games.

For his young career, the 24-year old has batted .242 with 51 homers and 230 RBIs.

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