Dansby Swanson reportedly made the decision to sign with the Chicago Cubs for seven years and $177 million on Saturday afternoon. After all of the rumors about perhaps re-signing with the Atlanta Braves, and after waiting out the signings of fellow shortstops Xander Bogaerts (11 years, $25.46M AAV), Carlos Correa (13 years, $26.92M AAV), and Trea Turner (11 years, $27.27M AAV), Swanson (seven years, $25.29M AAV) finally knows that he will be playing in Chicago for the next seven seasons. Until now, speculation had been swirling as to where Swanson would ultimately sign. From the Los Angeles Dodgers to the New York Mets, who missed out on Correa, speculation was running rampant around Dansby Swanson until he finally chose to sign with the Cubs.
Swanson is known as a good fielder, earning his first Gold Glove Award in 2022 as well as his first All-Star nod. In addition, Swanson posted an OPS+ of over 100 for the third time in his career at 115. That ties his career high from his first season in the majors when he only made 145 plate appearances. His OPS was the third-highest of his career at .776. Swanson played in all 162 games to lead Major League Baseball. His slash line was an impressive .277/.329/.447 with 25 home runs, 96 RBI, 32 doubles, 18 SB, and 49 walks. The only gripe may be that he struck out 182 times. This is due to a strikeout percentage of 26.2%, which was the highest of Swanson’s career. But Swanson also had the highest hard-hit percentage of his career at 46.4%.
Cubs Infield After Dansby Swanson Signing
With Swanson assuming shortstop duties, Nico Hoerner may slide over to the second base position in the depth chart. Hoerner has proven to be a productive hitter as he’s been provided with more repetitions at the plate. In 2022, Hoerner slashed .281/.327/.410 with ten home runs, five triples, 22 doubles, and 20 SB in 135 games. 68 out of Hoerner’s 256-game big league experience have been at second base. Hoerner will be age 26 in 2023. The Cubs also have Nick Madrigal and Zach McKinstry available at second. Patrick Wisdom will be age 31, and is available for both third and first base. Wisdom had a strange 2022, producing 15 more doubles and five more RBI than in 2021 but three fewer home runs in 25 more games and 131 more at-bats. Wisdom spent time at first base, third base, right field, left field, center field, and DH in 2022.
For first base, the Cubs have Alfonso Rivas or some combination of Christopher Morel, who will likely also see time at third, and P.J. Higgins. Another scenario is that the Cubs sign, trade, or promote a player internally for first base. An option that Cubs fans may not immediately consider for first base is new center fielder Cody Bellinger. Bellinger has 262 games logged at first base in his MLB career.
Both Swanson and the Cubs may have won with this signing. Swanson earns a huge salary for a long time, but not for his entire career. The Cubs signed one of the top shortstops this offseason for less AAV and fewer seasons than other teams.
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Dansby Swanson, Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Nico Hoerner, Nick Madrigal, Zach McKinstry, Patrick Wisdom, Alfonso Rivas, Christopher Morel, P.J. Higgins, Cody Bellinger
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