Chicago Cubs Made A Big Time Free Agent Move
Saturday was filled with sports from the NFL, NHL, College Football, and College Basketball, but the Chicago Cubs decided they wanted the MLB to be involved.
The Cubs signed free-agent shortstop Dansby Swanson for a seven-year 177-million-dollar deal. Swanson was the last of the big four shortstops to sign a free contract this offseason, with Trea Turner going to the Philadelphia Phillies, Xander Bogaerts San Diego Padres, and Carlos Correa to the San Francisco Giants.
BREAKING: Shortstop Dansby Swanson and the Chicago Cubs are finalizing an agreement on a contract, sources tell ESPN. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 17, 2022
Swanson was believed to be the fourth-best shortstop out of the four around MLB circles, which could be why he signed last and got the final big contract.
What Are The Cubs Getting?
That said, Swanson is still a great baseball player, and the Cubs got a good one. Swanson was a star in the making at Vanderbilt University, where he made himself the first pick in the 2015 MLB Draft to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
He was traded to the Atlanta Braves before he even made it to the big leagues in Arizona, and he had a great time in Atlanta.
Swanson played seven seasons in Atlanta, and he was a huge reason why they won the 2021 World Series. He was named an All-Star for the first time in 2022 and won a Gold Glove.
Swanson will be 29 when he steps into the batter box for the Cubs next season, so he is still very young.
Why This Was A Home Run
This was an excellent move for the Cubs. They were players in the shortstop market so far in the offseason, and Swanson was the last one on the market, and they needed to make him a Cub. They couldn’t swing and miss on him, and they went out and got their guy.
Chicago is a great baseball town, and the Cubs fans need players and a product on the field that is worth watching.
The Cubs won the World Series in 2016. Still, most of the crew that helped win the series was traded away in the summer of 2021 from Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Baez. They also lost their All-Star Catcher Wilson Contreras in free agency to their rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals.
The fans needed something to cheer about after going 74-88 last season, and Swanson will be a star.
Swanson married last week to U.S Women’s Soccer Star Mallory Pugh. Pugh plays for the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer league, so that could’ve been a factor for him in signing with the Cubs.
Dansby Swanson and soccer star Mallory Pugh are now married (via @people) pic.twitter.com/PgvLOawvdP — Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 11, 2022
The Cubs should be back to playing some fun baseball next year, but they will still be around the 75–80-win mark and will not see October baseball for another season.