The Chicago Cubs have been dealing with a controversy involving Addison Russell for around two years and apparently are trying to control the coverage surrounding him.
Russell was first hit with allegations of cheating on his wife in June, 2017. Things only got worse from there as she filed for divorce amid accusations of domestic violence.
Russell was placed on leave in Sept. 2018 and suspended the first 40 games of the 2019 season by MLB.
Russell is a few weeks away from returning to the Cubs, which has led to media coverage of the situation. The Cubs are apparently aiming to have mostly positive coverage.
Fangraphs contributor Sheryl Ring said on Twitter Sunday that she knows of a media member who was threatened by the Cubs and told to lay off of Russell and the team’s handling of him.
I spoke to one media member who told me they were privately instructed by the Cubs to lay off Russell and threatened with reprisal if they didn't.
— Sheryl Ring "The Counselor" (@Ring_Sheryl) April 28, 2019
Baseball Prospectus’ Mike Gianella says he has heard the same thing.
I heard the same thing
— Mike Gianella (@MikeGianella) April 28, 2019
The Cubs’ perceived nonchalant handling of the situation has been a sore subject for many. Manager Joe Maddon seemed to be willfully ignorant regarding the allegations. The Cubs decided to give Russell another contract for 2019 despite the allegations. They just have not seemed too concerned about domestic violence allegations, as proven by their handling of Russell and their past acquisition of Aroldis Chapman.
H/T Hardball Talk
