Braves lose Swanson to Cubs in free agency
ATLANTA — Thoughts of Dansby Swanson returning to Atlanta started to evaporate as this offseason’s earliest weeks started to unfold. They have been utterly erased on Saturday when Swanson agreed to a seven-year, $177 million deal with the Cubs.
Now, the Braves might want to discover a shortstop for the primary time since 2016. Earlier this yr, Swanson joined Rafael Ramirez as the one gamers in Atlanta historical past to make six consecutive Opening Day begins because the Braves’ shortstop.
The Braves might decide to seek out Swanson’s alternative by way of commerce or use one among their two inside choices, Vaughn Grissom and Orlando Arcia. The free-agent market is skinny on the shortstop place. One of the highest choices is Elvis Andrus, the Braves’ prime prospect when Freddie Freeman joined Atlanta’s group as a wide-eyed 17-year-old in 2007.
Speaking of Freeman, many Braves followers in contrast his departure final winter to the one Swanson is making this yr. They have been two of the group’s most beloved gamers. But neither received their want to keep in Atlanta so long as doable.
After enjoying somewhat greater than six seasons together with his hometown group, Swanson will now lengthen his profession within the Windy City. The 28-year-old helped the Braves win 5 consecutive National League East titles and one World Series. But what he’ll seemingly most treasure was the chance to do all of this only a quick distance from the place he was raised.
Though he made his MLB debut at Turner Field in August 2016, Swanson spent the vast majority of his profession inside Truist Park, about quarter-hour south of Marietta, the place he grew up rooting for the Braves, Hawks and Falcons.
Swanson’s want to proceed enjoying for the Braves started to disintegrate because the membership remained quiet following the 2022 season. Atlanta provided a six-year, $100 million deal across the All-Star break and did not lengthen negotiations as soon as it was rejected.
Swanson known as Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos a few weeks in the past, hoping to spark some dialogue. But it quickly grew to become clear that the Cubs, Red Sox and Twins have been the groups most inquisitive about him.
Swanson didn’t get the identical stage of riches, however he gained excess of he might have envisioned earlier than having fun with a career-best season this yr.
Swanson positioned himself for a hefty payday as he ranked second amongst all MLB shortstops with a 6.4 fWAR this yr, trailing solely the Mets’ Francisco Lindor (6.8). Swanson additionally ranked eleventh amongst all MLB gamers with this mark.
As Swanson’s offensive sport improved over the previous two years, he has established himself as one of many sport’s prime gamers. He hit a career-high 27 homers in 2021, and he ranked fourth amongst shortstops with 25 homers in ’22.
Swanson has produced a good .768 OPS over the previous two seasons. But his glove stays his biggest asset: He led the NL this yr with 21.4 Defensive Wins Above Average per FanGraph’s mannequin. Lindor (16.1) ranked second amongst shortstops.
Swanson’s 21 Outs Above Average ranked second amongst all certified MLB gamers, trailing solely Tigers second baseman Jonathan Schoop (27). The Cubs’ Nico Hoerner and Lindor ranked second amongst MLB shortstops with 13 OAA.
