James Russell has chance to blossom with Sean Marshall gone

MESA, Ariz. — James Russell was back home in Texas, kicking back on the couch with his dad during the holidays, when he found out about Cubs teammate Sean Marshall. ‘‘We were flipping through channels, and then all of a sudden we see Sean got traded,’’ Russell said. ‘‘It was a big surprise. Big topic of conversation right there.’’ Big career change for the left-handed reliever, too. That possibility isn’t lost on Russell and his dad, two-time All-Star pitcher Jeff Russell. The Russells spent a lot of time together over the winter, playing golf as often as possible and talking …