Sixth within the sequence. Today we have a look at the Cubs’ veteran shortstop.
Dansby Swanson will flip 32 on February 11. His expertise have but to decrease appreciably but it surely’s a matter of time till they do. This can be his eleventh yr within the main leagues, after being drafted first general by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015. The Vanderbilt grad has had an honest profession, amassing a lifetime whole of 28.4 bWAR (additionally 28.4 fWAR). His energy numbers have trended up since 2021, from roughly 10 homers per season to about 20 — 2021 was his peak at 27. His batting common appears to have suffered from his makes an attempt to place extra carry on the ball, as his Cubs numbers cluster round .244, the place he had beforehand averaged round 10 factors greater. This is also because of the fabled ‘Wrigley Field Effect,’ which tends to flatten these numbers, as an alternative of enhancing them, as earlier than local weather change’s damaging results.
Swanson continues to be an excellent fielder, and he has 4 years left on his seven-year deal, which runs by way of 2029. The Cubs must work out what to do when his decline comes, however he’s hopefully good to go this yr.
He’s a postseason veteran, although his lifetime .233 common is unimpressive over the ten playoff sequence he’s been concerned in.
Still, he’s seen as a crew chief by Cubs gamers, regardless of followers’ misgivings, and his contract nearly ensures that he’ll be within the lineup for a few years nonetheless. The Cubs might do worse — Swanson’s 2026 slash of .244/.300./.417, with 24 house runs, 2o stolen bases, and 77 RBI isn’t all that dangerous, and neither is his 4.5 bWAR. It’s simply that his paycheck outweighs these numbers.
This sequence will resume on Monday.