Former Cubs infielder Russell signs 1-year deal in Korea

After failing to land a major-league contract, Addison Russell is taking his talents to Korea.

The former Chicago Cubs middle infielder agreed to a one-year deal worth roughly $530,000 with the KBO's Kiwoom Heroes.

Russell was once an All-Star and considered a core piece during the Cubs' 2016 World Series win but has since gone on to experience issues on and off the field.

He was placed on administrative leave in September 2018 after his then-wife said he abused her. MLB would suspend him 40 games, which he served across the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

"Obviously, what he did was wrong, but we felt it wasn't bad enough that he should no longer play baseball," Heroes general manager Chi-hyun Kim told Yonhap News Agency.

The 26-year-old was never able to replicate the success he found during his sophomore campaign in 2016. He slashed .237/.308/.391 with nine home runs and four doubles in 82 games last season and was non-tendered in December. Russell then went unsigned during free agency.