Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Free agent shortstop Dansby Swanson is finalizing a deal with the Chicago Cubs, according to David Kaplan. ESPN’s Jeff Passan confirmed the report.
Bally Sports‘ Russell Dorsey says the deal is for seven years and $177 million.
The 28-year-old Swanson spent the first six-plus years of his career with the Atlanta Braves, winning a World Series in 2021. Though his bat has been inconsistent over his career, he’s developed into one of the best defensive shortstops in the league. Despite the inconsistency on offense, he had the best year of his career at the plate by OPS+ (115) in his walk year. He hit 25 home runs, batted in 96 runs and had a .776 OPS to go along with his stellar defense.
The shortstop is the latest team favorite to leave the Braves in free agency. Freddie Freeman signed with the Dodgers last offseason after spending his first 12 seasons with Atlanta. However, the Braves still have half-a-dozen team-friendly contracts with players like Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Austin Riley and Spencer Strider.
Swanson is the final domino to fall in the free-agent shortstop frenzy of the last couple of years. Some mega deals of the last two offseasons include:
- Trea Turner: 11 years, $300 million with the Phillies
- Carlos Correa: 13 years, $350 million with the Giants
- Xander Bogaerts: 11 years, $280 million with the Padres
- Corey Seager: 10 years, $325 million with the Rangers
- Javier Báez: six years, $140 million with the Tigers
- Trevor Story: six years, $140 million with the Red Sox
Francisco Lindor also signed a 10-year, $341 million contract with the Mets a year before his free agency. Fernando Tatis Jr. (14/$340 million) and Wander Franco (11/$182 million) signed massive contracts early in their career, too.
