*****Official Cubs 2019 thread*****
- Thread starter QChawks
- Start date
I'm completely blanking on who "IC" is. Who did they try to sneak through waivers?
Remember when Chavez said he would retire before playing for another team?
Yeah, I remember. Then somebody waived a bunch of money in front of his face.
Anyways, he was great for us this past year but, reality is, given his age and other factors, highly doubtful he can keep producing at that level for two years. The Rangers may have just saved us from a bad contract. History and the numbers don't lie.
Ah, thanks. I missed the original transaction. That's odd.
Remember when Chavez said he would retire before playing for another team?
Asking someone about their future in an emotional locker room right after a post-season loss always seems like the best way to get a true answer on their future. See the many college athlete who has vowed to come back next year after a bowl or NCAA tournament loss only to realize Hey I can millions of dollars right now instead.
I originally thought they’d gotten Gleyber Torres back when I saw the headline.
Interesting career arch for Reynold Torreyes.
No worries, wasn't trying to be snarky, I just missed that post and hadn't seen the original transaction. I was 95% sure I was missing someone obvious.
Next move, get this guy:
https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-jimenez-621592?stats=career-r-pitching-minors&year=2018
He won’t hit like TLS, so my guess is this is purely about defensive flexibility, Addison Russell starting the season on the shelf, and a nod to Joe’s 8 man bullpen.
Theo cleared up some cap room today. Are you thinking Machado or Harper with the savings generated by trading TLS?
I can't disagree, but that's also the same mentality that leads teams to hang on to guys for too long.
TLS could play one position poorly. Torreyes is functional, or better, at three positions.
Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell today released the following statement:
“I offer my heartfelt apology to my family and my former wife Melisa for my past behavior. I also want to apologize to Cubs fans, the Cubs organization, and my teammates for letting them down. Since accepting my suspension, I’ve had time to reflect on my past behavior and think about the next steps I need to take to grow as a person. Here are the first steps I’ve taken:
“I accepted my suspension and did not appeal. I am responsible for my actions.
“I am complying with the MLB-MLBPA treatment plan, and I will be meeting regularly with different experts, counselors, and therapists. Even before any mandated treatment, I took the extra initiative of obtaining my own therapist and I have been meeting with that therapist several times a week for the last two months and plan to continue this therapy beyond the MLB treatment plan. With that therapy, I am attempting to improve myself by learning new outlooks and understanding different emotions.
“After I have done my own therapy and gained new insights into myself, I hope to be able to work with non-profit groups in Pensacola, Chicago, and Arizona to support their missions and become part of the solution.
“Finally, I recently met with Tom Ricketts and Theo Epstein to explain my progress and goals. They outlined the Cubs’ expectations for me. I accept and am completely committed to meeting those expectations. I am grateful for their support.
“I am just in the early stages of this process. It is work that goes far beyond being a baseball player – it goes to my core values of being the best family man, partner, and teammate that I can be, and giving back to the community and the less fortunate. While there is a lot of work ahead for me to earn back the trust of the Cubs fans, my teammates, and the entire organization, it’s work that I am 110 percent committed to doing.”
Sincerely,
Addison Russell
Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein today released the following statement:
“The behavior that led to Addison Russell’s suspension under Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence Policy happened on our watch. We traded for Addison when he was a 20-year-old Double-A player, helped him develop into a world champion and welcomed the praise that came along with his triumphs.
“If we’re willing to accept credit when a member of our organization succeeds on the field, what should we do if he engages in conduct off the field worthy of discipline from Major League Baseball?
“After a very thorough process, we have chosen to take action to try to become a small part of the solution for Addison, his family, Melisa Reidy and the larger issue of domestic violence prevention. In determining our path forward, we’ve maintained regular dialogue with Melisa to support her and to listen. We’ve also consulted with a number of domestic violence experts. Over the past few months, I’ve maintained frequent communication with Addison, and Cubs personnel have met with him regularly. Earlier this week, Tom Ricketts and I met with Addison in Chicago to assess his progress and communicate our expectations as he works to earn back the trust of our fans and entire organization. He affirmed he understands and accepts those expectations.
“As Addison detailed in his statement, he has taken the initial steps to hold himself accountable for his past behavior and begin the rehabilitation process. He is working closely with his own therapist – help he proactively sought on his own beyond the league-mandated treatment – and plans to continue this work once the mandated program is completed. We are encouraged by his early effort and will continue to evaluate and verify his progress.
“Today, we are taking the procedural step of tendering Addison a non-guaranteed contract in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players. While this decision leaves the door open for Addison to later make an impact for us on the field, it does not represent the finish line nor rubber-stamp his future as a Cub. It does however reflect our support for him as long as he continues to make progress and demonstrates his commitment to these important issues.
“Just as Addison has a responsibility to own his actions and put in significant work to grow, our organization has a responsibility to act as well. We’re taking a hard look at how we can support domestic violence prevention. In our own workplace, we are dedicating more resources to expand training for our players, their families and our coaching staff and front office. We will engage the appropriate experts to help us design programs for the Cubs which raise awareness of domestic violence, help prevent future incidents and make us the safest workplace possible. We also have connected with Family Rescue, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to serving survivors of domestic violence and community education and prevention. We’re exploring ways we can support their award-winning efforts to eradicate domestic violence in Chicago.
“We understand every action we take and word we use sends a message to our fans – all of whom have their own unique experiences and perspectives, and some of whom have a personal connection to domestic violence. The message we would like to leave you with is we take the issue of domestic violence seriously. There is a long road ahead for Addison, and we will hold him accountable. There also is a long road ahead for our organization as we attempt to make some good of this situation. We are committed to being a part of the solution.”
“I offer my heartfelt apology to my family and my former wife Melisa for my past behavior. I also want to apologize to Cubs fans, the Cubs organization, and my teammates for letting them down. Since accepting my suspension, I’ve had time to reflect on my past behavior and think about the next steps I need to take to grow as a person. Here are the first steps I’ve taken:
“I accepted my suspension and did not appeal. I am responsible for my actions.
“I am complying with the MLB-MLBPA treatment plan, and I will be meeting regularly with different experts, counselors, and therapists. Even before any mandated treatment, I took the extra initiative of obtaining my own therapist and I have been meeting with that therapist several times a week for the last two months and plan to continue this therapy beyond the MLB treatment plan. With that therapy, I am attempting to improve myself by learning new outlooks and understanding different emotions.
“After I have done my own therapy and gained new insights into myself, I hope to be able to work with non-profit groups in Pensacola, Chicago, and Arizona to support their missions and become part of the solution.
“Finally, I recently met with Tom Ricketts and Theo Epstein to explain my progress and goals. They outlined the Cubs’ expectations for me. I accept and am completely committed to meeting those expectations. I am grateful for their support.
“I am just in the early stages of this process. It is work that goes far beyond being a baseball player – it goes to my core values of being the best family man, partner, and teammate that I can be, and giving back to the community and the less fortunate. While there is a lot of work ahead for me to earn back the trust of the Cubs fans, my teammates, and the entire organization, it’s work that I am 110 percent committed to doing.”
Sincerely,
Addison Russell
Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein today released the following statement:
“The behavior that led to Addison Russell’s suspension under Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence Policy happened on our watch. We traded for Addison when he was a 20-year-old Double-A player, helped him develop into a world champion and welcomed the praise that came along with his triumphs.
“If we’re willing to accept credit when a member of our organization succeeds on the field, what should we do if he engages in conduct off the field worthy of discipline from Major League Baseball?
“After a very thorough process, we have chosen to take action to try to become a small part of the solution for Addison, his family, Melisa Reidy and the larger issue of domestic violence prevention. In determining our path forward, we’ve maintained regular dialogue with Melisa to support her and to listen. We’ve also consulted with a number of domestic violence experts. Over the past few months, I’ve maintained frequent communication with Addison, and Cubs personnel have met with him regularly. Earlier this week, Tom Ricketts and I met with Addison in Chicago to assess his progress and communicate our expectations as he works to earn back the trust of our fans and entire organization. He affirmed he understands and accepts those expectations.
“As Addison detailed in his statement, he has taken the initial steps to hold himself accountable for his past behavior and begin the rehabilitation process. He is working closely with his own therapist – help he proactively sought on his own beyond the league-mandated treatment – and plans to continue this work once the mandated program is completed. We are encouraged by his early effort and will continue to evaluate and verify his progress.
“Today, we are taking the procedural step of tendering Addison a non-guaranteed contract in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players. While this decision leaves the door open for Addison to later make an impact for us on the field, it does not represent the finish line nor rubber-stamp his future as a Cub. It does however reflect our support for him as long as he continues to make progress and demonstrates his commitment to these important issues.
“Just as Addison has a responsibility to own his actions and put in significant work to grow, our organization has a responsibility to act as well. We’re taking a hard look at how we can support domestic violence prevention. In our own workplace, we are dedicating more resources to expand training for our players, their families and our coaching staff and front office. We will engage the appropriate experts to help us design programs for the Cubs which raise awareness of domestic violence, help prevent future incidents and make us the safest workplace possible. We also have connected with Family Rescue, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to serving survivors of domestic violence and community education and prevention. We’re exploring ways we can support their award-winning efforts to eradicate domestic violence in Chicago.
“We understand every action we take and word we use sends a message to our fans – all of whom have their own unique experiences and perspectives, and some of whom have a personal connection to domestic violence. The message we would like to leave you with is we take the issue of domestic violence seriously. There is a long road ahead for Addison, and we will hold him accountable. There also is a long road ahead for our organization as we attempt to make some good of this situation. We are committed to being a part of the solution.”
I think what the Cubs are doing is fair. If there's anything further, they should cut ties (and he'll face an even bigger MLB suspension), but if he's really doing all the things he can to improve as a human being and the Cubs are really in contact with his ex-wife and are working with domestic violence organizations as well as monitoring Russell's progress, then I don't have a problem with them trying to rehab Russell. The Cubs have the rest of the off-season plus the first 30 games of the regular season to evaluate things. There should, however, be no tolerance for Russell not telling the truth, following punishments & treatments or having a recurrence of anything resembling this.
Doing anything besides this would be a poor move for the Cubs. I don't expect them to hold their own players to a higher moral standing than the MLB does. Fans forget quickly, if the Cubs let Russell walk, he would be claimed by 20 other teams. He's a 25 year old gold glove caliber shortstop who is only two years removed from hitting 20+ homers. He's a baseline 2 WAR player even with all his struggles at the plate the last two years, there's still a lot of untapped potential if he can get his head straight and personal life straightened out. Let this blow over, run him out in Iowa for a month and you might get an All-Star SS come the second half of the year.
The cubs made a baseball decision, pure and simple. I understand they cant be honest about it but i hope that they are sincere that they will hold him to a higher standard. In addition to be a woman beater he also has a drinking problem. Hopefully he really is getting help.
Of course they did, but that's part of the problem in today's sports world. An athlete does something like Russell did and teams take a tremendous amount of bad PR (rightly so). The choice is either to take the bad pub and be accused of "all they care about is winning" or cut ties, let him go and then some other team gets a super-cheap potentially GG-level SS. There has to be some middle ground somewhere, right?
dont get me wrong, im not surprised they made this decision. i just hope they are sincere in holding him to a higher standard going forward.
Also, does anyone know how/if the suspension impacts the team's luxury tax totals? Cubs tender Russell and say they settle on $3 million. His suspension is almost 1/5 of the season. Does anyone know if the $500-600k that Russell won't see this year counts against the Cubs numbers?
Me too. I hope he really does have a short leash and that he really has to earn his way back. He'll serve his time and then after that, he should have a serious minor league stint and not just a rubber-stamp return to the Cubs.
WTF? Is there something in his contract status that makes the Cubs think he'll go through waivers and be available again? Otherwise, it's bizarre to have even acquired him.
I thought so too but many of the cub writers are saying that the cubs saw someone else who was non tendered they like more.
