On May 3rd Addison Russell will be eligible to return to the Cubs after his suspension for domestic violence, whether he will join the club at that point remains to be seen, but either way it creates a problem for the Cubs.
Who's gonna start at short?
Russell is a natural shortstop, and aside from a stint at second in 2015, has been the only position he's played in the big leagues. Although his bat has been a disappointment with a .245/.311/.376 line since the start of 2017, he has been one of the top defensive shortstops in the National League saving a combined total of 28 runs in those two years.. He's gotten six minor league rehab games, and has started four at short, but also got a start at second which is a possibility at the big league level.
Right now Javier Baez is starting at short for the Cubs, and he has given them no reason to switch his position. The 2018 NL MVP runner-up has crushed the ball to the tune of a ridiculous .315/.356/.640 line with a .408 wOBA. His nine home runs rank 5th in the National League, and he has managed to improve his walk rate to 5.9 percent. He's been pretty good on the field as well with a DRS of 5 and a UZR of .7
If you were to immediately place Russell back into the starting lineup whether it be at second or short, then you are also displacing one of David Bote or Daniel Descalso who have both been excellent this year.
Mark Zagunis will most likely go down if Russell is brought back, and he's been a disappointment so far with a .250/.276/.357 line with 12 strikeouts and one walk in 29 plate appearances. He's got options left and the Cubs already have enough outfielders.
The best bet for the Cubs might be to bring Russell in a part time role. His defense, while excellent, isn't enough to make up for his well below average bat. If the Cubs can use him in a part-time role they don't have to displace one or two of Baez/Descalso/Bote. He could still get starts at second or short, but most likely to give someone a day off.
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