Chicago Cubs finding value in Dansby Swanson signing

Once it became clear that the Atlanta Braves were not going to be able to re-sign Dansby Swanson, he became a hot commodity on the free agent market. It didn’t take him long to find a new home with the Chicago Cubs.

The former Vanderbilt University shortstop and former No. 1 overall pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015 signed a seven-year, $177 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, making him the new shortstop on the North Side of Chicago. After seven seasons with the Braves, he has moved on and Atlanta’s loss is quickly becoming the Cubs’ gain.

Dansby Swanson settling in with Chicago Cubs

The 2021 World Series champion started hot in Chicago and he appears to have found his footing. Through his first 20 games, he posted a slash line of .299/.413/.338 and a .751 OPS with three doubles and five RBI. Those numbers are not going to jump off the page. However, if history tells us anything, he’s just starting to find consistency.

It took until early May last season to hit his first home run of the season for Atlanta and he finished with 25, after blasting a career-high 27 the year before. In his last seven games, he only has four hits, but he’s finding other ways on base. He has walked nine times in the last week and scored six runs. He is a calming presence at the top of the order in Chicago, bating primarily second behind Nico Hoerner.

Defensively, he’s an above-average shortstop and solidifies the middle of the infield for manager David Ross. He also brings leadership in the locker room, something that was spoken highly about during his time in Atlanta. His presence in the room and getting teammates to play the game the right way is what the Cubs need as they look to get on top in the National League Central Division.

Entering Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres, the Cubs currently sit in third place at 12-9 behind the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers. Will the Pirates be able to sustain their start over a 162-game schedule? Unlikely, but the Brewers appear to be able to do that and are the best team through the first month of the 2023 season on paper. The Cubs signed a lot of veterans last winter Eric Hosmer, Trey Mancini, and Tucker Barnhart. Over time, they are hoping that they can get value out of those signings during the season and it could lead them into postseason baseball.

Xander Bogaerts was another prized shortstop who hit the free agent market last winter when he left the Boston Red Sox and signed with the San Diego Padres. He has been a big addition to a Padres team that has big expectations this season come October baseball. Expectations are not as high with the Cubs, but Swanson is the type of player who can make an impact in all facets of the game on and off the field, and bring them tremendous value. He is just getting started doing that in Chicago.