Addison Russell’s Elite Defense and Improving Bat and Other Bullets

addison russell helmetI can’t be completely tone deaf and not say anything up here. It’s going to be a challenging stretch for folks now, and that was going to be true whatever the final outcome of last night’s election. There is a troubling lack of empathy – on both sides of the aisle (the lack of empathy extends to the fact that there is such a clear aisle in the first place) – and I just hope we can all continue to take time to try to understand each other a little better. The whole of a person cannot be summed up in a tweet.

This place will remain focused on baseball, the language we all understand and agree upon.

  • By SABR’s overall defensive measure, Addison Russell was the best defensive player in the National League. As we know, Russell did not win the Gold Glove last night, but there can be no question at this point – especially after what he did in 2015 – that he is one of the best defensive players in baseball. It’s fun to think about that fact in conjunction with the following: (1) Russell is just 22 years old, (2) Russell has already completed his second season in the big leagues, and (3) Russell improved his strikeout rate, walk rate, and isolated power from 2015 to 2016. On a team loaded with young positional stars, it can sometimes be easy to forget that Russell’s potential overall value remains as high as any of them.
  • [adinserter block=”1″]

  • Thoughts and background on the man in charge of the Cubs, about what drives Theo Epstein, and about why he won’t be satisfied with the Cubs’ recent title.
  • Jason McLeod’s thoughts on the Cubs’ title. Among the dudes for whom you’re happy about the win, McLeod has to be up there – the guy turned down opportunities with other clubs so that he could be a part of the championship he was instrumental in achieving.
  • There’s good stuff in the interview about Kyle Schwarber’s role in the postseason and rehab process, but I do like the tease the best:
  • Schwarber will be on ‘LIVE with Kelly’ tomorrow morning, too, interviewed by Alex Rodriguez.
  • Kris Bryant’s Ted Williams-informed swing.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • This is from a bit ago, but it’s a personal look at David Ross’s life, and the end of his playing days. And Ross tweeted this last night:
  • Ross, together with Kris Bryant, were on ‘The Ellen Show’ yesterday, and a great deal of fun was had at Ross’s age-related expense:
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gBw8PvuXVk

  • Wireless, sport, earbud headphones are a deal of the day at Amazon, and I’m gonna need to jump on this because I’m tired of my Apple earbuds falling out of my left ear (and only my left ear … sigh).
  • [adinserter block=”3″]

    written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Christopher Morel Puts the Cubs Back On Top

    It's a game of homers so far, with Seiya Suzuki's two-run shot getting it started, then Elly De La Cruz's three-run homer giving the Reds the lead, and now Christopher Morel's two-run shot taking it back. That's a dozen on...

    An Early Lead? Wha? Seiya Suzuki With the Two-Run Shot

    Maybe it's just my damaged heart, but it feels like weeks since the Cubs took an early, multi-run lead in a game. Thank you, Miguel Amaya for the third inning single, and thank you, Seiya Suzuki for the following homer:...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Reds (6:10 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have won two games in a row - but just barely (and against the worst team in MLB). Let's see if they can deliver a more convincing victory in the first of four games against...

    Nick Madrigal Broke His Hand In His First Game At Triple-A Iowa

    [Ankin_law] Whether you felt he should be sent back down to Triple-A Iowa or not, and whatever you think of his future role with the Chicago Cubs, I don't think you can feel anything but bad about what happened to...

    Unfortunately, We Need to Talk About Yan Gomes and the Cubs’ Options at Catcher

    Hand up. I didn't think Yan Gomes would be this big of a problem 2024. In fact, I was pretty excited about the guidance and leadership he was likely to provide — in addition to the actual in-game value —...

    MLBits: Skenes-Ohtani Lived Up to the Billing, the Reds Aren’t Dead Yet, More

    Paul Skenes is a SoCal native who watched Shohei Ohtani play for the Los Angeles Angels for the last half-decade. On Wednesday, he squared off with him for the first time. That and more in today's MLB Notes. Skenes vs....

    Can Ian Happ Keep Up His Cincy-Heroics? Cubs vs Reds Series Preview

    Cubs vs Reds — The Cubs did not have a great time facing the Reds last weekend, squeezing out just one win over three games despite Javier Assad and Justin Steele both throwing in that series (as well as Ben...

    Cubs Farm Report | June 6, 2024: No Shortage of Offense for Iowa, Triantos Powers the Smokies, More

    There was no shortage of offense for Iowa in a doubleheader split with Toledo, and the Smokies topped the Barons thanks to a solid day for James Triantos. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report |...

    Things Have Gone So Very Badly for Two of the Late-Signing Starting Pitchers

    I knew it'd been a rough start to the year for new Giants lefty Blake Snell and new Diamondbacks lefty Jordan Montgomery, but it kind of came to a head in Montgomery's last outing. It was bad, bad, bad: https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1798454426551959906...

    If You Eject Nico Hoerner Over Balls and Strikes, You Probably Screwed Up

    Nico Hoerner not only has a very good sense of the strike zone, he almost never beefs too much even when that strike zone gets expanded by a generous home plate umpire. Sure, he'll express some frustration about a bad...

    Latest News

    Friday’s MLB Computer Picks & Best Bets – June 7

    In one of the 14 compelling matchups on the MLB schedule on Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees take the field at Yankee Stadium. Scroll down for best bets suggestions.MLB picks todayMinnesota Twins at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds,...

    Giants vs. Rangers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Friday, Logan Webb will start for the San Francisco Giants (30-33) against Michael Lorenzen and the Texas Rangers (30-32), with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 PM ET at Globe Life Field.Keep reading to see how to watch the San...

    How to Watch Braves vs. Nationals: Live Stream or on TV

    On Friday at 6:45 PM ET, Marcell Ozuna and the Atlanta Braves (34-25) take on C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (27-34) at Nationals Park.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for the...

    Christopher Morel Puts the Cubs Back On Top

    It's a game of homers so far, with Seiya Suzuki's two-run shot getting it started, then Elly De La Cruz's three-run homer giving the Reds the lead, and now Christopher Morel's two-run shot taking it back. That's a dozen on...

    How to Watch Guardians vs. Marlins: Live Stream or on TV

    In a series opener on Friday, Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians (40-21) versus Ryan Weathers and the Miami Marlins (21-41), with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at LoanDepot park.Keep reading to find out...

    An Early Lead? Wha? Seiya Suzuki With the Two-Run Shot

    Maybe it's just my damaged heart, but it feels like weeks since the Cubs took an early, multi-run lead in a game. Thank you, Miguel Amaya for the third inning single, and thank you, Seiya Suzuki for the following homer:...

    Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Minnesota Twins Series June 7-9: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Pittsburgh Pirates will be hosting the Minnesota Twins for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 6:40 PM ET on Friday, June 7.Pirates vs. Twins Series Info Twins @ Pirates Time: Friday, June 7 at 6:40...

    Detroit Tigers vs. Milwaukee Brewers Series June 7-9: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    A three-game series featuring the Detroit Tigers and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers will start on Friday, June 7 at 6:40 PM ET.Tigers vs. Brewers Series Info Brewers @ Tigers Time: Friday, June 7 at 6:40 PM ET Tigers Starting Pitcher:...

    Miami Marlins vs. Cleveland Guardians Series June 7-9: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    A three-game series featuring the Miami Marlins and the visiting Cleveland Guardians will start on Friday, June 7 at 7:10 PM ET.Marlins vs. Guardians Series Info Guardians @ Marlins Time: Friday, June 7 at 7:10 PM ET Marlins Starting Pitcher:...

    Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles Series June 7-10: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Tampa Bay Rays will be hosting the Baltimore Orioles for a four-game series, with the action getting underway at 6:50 PM ET on Friday, June 7.Rays vs. Orioles Series Info Orioles @ Rays Time: Friday, June 7 at 6:50...

    more cubs news