Cubs Finally Cut Ties With Addison Russell at Non-Tender Deadline

The messy end to the Addison Russell era in Chicago has finally reached its climax, as Russell won't be back at Wrigley in 2020.

Russell, a former starting shortstop and top prospect, was non-tendered by the Cubs along with former No. 2 overall pick Danny Hultzen.

Russell was acquired from the Oakland Athletics in a deal that sent Jason Hammel the other way. His Cubs career got off to a flying start, as he was named an All-Star and established himself as the starting shortstop on a Cubs team that won the World Series. However, he went into the tank as a player soon after, and earned himself a suspension for domestic violence, shredding whatever goodwill anyone had towards him within the organization.

Russell has been a below-average hitter for pretty much his entire career, as his career OPS+ is 86, but hitting .237 with nine home runs and 23 RBIs in 82 games made cutting bait with him really easy for the Cubs.

The Cubs can finally turn the page on what turned out to be a despicable end to the Russell era in Chicago. With all of his off-field baggage, it's not a guarantee that he finds work by the start of the 2020 season.