A recent ranking of the best shortstops included the Cubs all-star.
The Chicago Cubs are reaping the benefits of their long-term contract extension with Dansby Swanson, their shortstop. When the Chicago Cubs signed Dansby Swanson to a long-term contract last winter, they understood they were securing their shortstop position for possibly the ensuing ten years.
Based on the position’s most recent MLB.com rankings, so far, so good. The website lists the “Top 10 Right Now” for every position, and Swanson’s name appeared when shortstop was mentioned. It actually stood up.
He went from being ranked No. 6 in the previous year’s rankings to No. 4 this year. The only players standing in front of him were San Diego Padres’ Xander Bogaerts, Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, and Texas Rangers’ Corey Seager. MLB.com evaluated historical player performance data, advanced metrics, traditional baseball statistics, and offensive and defensive metrics to produce the rankings.
Swanson was signed by the Cubs in the summer to a seven-year, $177 million contract. It has already paid off. Swanson brought the Cubs consistency throughout the season, despite his slash numbers being slightly lower than they were in Atlanta in 2022. He batted..416/.416/.744 with 80 RBI, 25 doubles, three triples, and 22 home runs.
He was an All-Star selection and the two-time Gold Glove winner at his position. For the second consecutive season, he also placed among the top 20 candidates for MVP. With Nico Hoerner, who won his first award at second base, as his Gold Glove double-play partner, Swanson is undoubtedly approaching his prime as he approaches his thirtyth birthday.
Trea Turner of the Philadelphia Phillies, Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays, Carlos Correa of the Minnesota Twins, Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers, Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals, and J.P. Crawford of the Seattle Mariners completed the remaining positions in the Top 10.