Former All-Star SS Addison Russell Signs 1-Year Deal with Korea’s Kiwoom Heroes

Veteran shortstop Addison Russell will try to resurrect his baseball career abroad. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Russell inked a one-year deal with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean KBO League.

Russell joins Heroes as a free agent after the Chicago Cubs opted not to sign him to an extension following the 2019 MLB season. The 26-year-old shortstop played 82 games with the Cubs last year, posting a .237 batting average with nine home runs and 23 RBIs.

According to Korean media outlet Yonhap News Agency, Russell will play shortstop and second base with Kiwoom.

Addison Russell was initially drafted 11th overall by Oakland Athletics in 2012 but spent only two years with the organization before being traded to Chicago Cubs. After a strong rookie season in 2015, Russell made the All-Star team the following year thanks to .238 batting average, 21 homers, and 95 RBIs. In 2016, Cubs also won the World Series.

Russell played a total of 615 games with the Cubs in the past five seasons, and his career stars include .242 batting average, 480 hits, 60 home runs, and 253 RBIs.

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