*Photo from MSN*
There's a new franchise cornerstone in the Windy City. The Chicago Cubs and SS Dansby Swanson have agreed to a 7 year, $177 million deal, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The Cubs have officially confirmed the move.
Swanson's contract has no opt outs and includes a full no trade clause. The deal is good for the second largest deal in Cubs history, trailing the 8 year, $184 million deal for Jason Heyward. He's also the 3rd player in Cubs history to have a deal for at least 7 years, with Heyward and Alfonso Soriano being the others.
Last season, Swanson had a standout year for the Atlanta Braves. He suited up for all 162 games, posting a .277 batting average with a .329 on base percentage and .776 OPS, blasting 25 home runs and adding 96 RBI's, stealing 18 bases.
The Braves had extended Swanson a qualifying offer at the start of the offseason, which he rejected. As a result, the Cubs will lose their second highest draft pick and $500,000 in international bonus pool money. But, for Swanson, coming off his first all star game appearance and collecting a gold glove, it's worth it.
Swanson has 7 big league seasons to his name, all with the Braves. He has a career .255 batting average, .321 on base percentage, and .417 slugging percentage, adding 102 home runs and 411 RBI's in 827 games played. He has a .248 batting average with 5 home runs and 15 RBI's in 37 career postseason games.
During the offseason, the Cubs were linked to all 4 big ticket shortstops, those being Swanson, Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, and Trea Turner. With all 3 signing deals until their age 41 seasons, Swanson was the last one left, and the Cubs got it done.
With Swanson coming to town, incumbent shortstop Nico Hoerner will be pushed to second base, which could put fellow second baseman Nick Madrigal on the trade market. Hoerner had a fantastic year defensively, recording 13 outs above average. The only NL shortstop with a higher number? That would be Swanson with 21.
The signing of Swanson continues an offseason of adding for the Cubs, who have brought aboard Jameson Taillon and Cody Bellinger as they try to pull off a quick rebuild.
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