Addison Russell ignoring Manny Machado trade rumors

The Chicago Cubs have been linked in trade rumors to Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado in the last week, and such a deal would likely cost Addison Russell his starting job.

For now, though, Russell is tuning out the noise, as there’s little he can do about it.

“I really don’t pay attention to all that,” Russell said Saturday, via Patrick Mooney of the Athletic. “All I know is I play for the Cubs — and I’m going to play for the Cubs as hard as I can. I like this team. I like this organization.

“As far as the trade rumors, if it happens, it happens. But I really don’t pay them any attention. The only time I really even hear about them is the media bringing it up to me.”

Of course, Machado might be a rental, and the Cubs wouldn’t be the only suitor. For now, it seems like more rumor than anything else, but Russell would be vulnerable if something came to fruition.