(670 The Score) – One of the primary reasons the Cubs prioritized shortstop Dansby Swanson in free agency was because the organization projected him to stay at his position longer than others in the star-studded shortstop class, owner Tom Ricketts said.
“When we looked at the free-agent shortstops that were available, it was our opinion that he was the one most likely to stay at shortstop,” Ricketts said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Friday morning. “Obviously, a very athletic guy, great defensive player, a good offensive player as well. But we thought he would be a guy we can keep at short for a long time and really build around. He was the person that we wanted in the offseason, and we’re just really glad that we got it done.”
Swanson, who will turn 29 in February, signed a seven-year, $177-million deal with the Cubs in December. He’s coming off his first All-Star season in 2022, when he also won his first Gold Glove. Swanson hit .277 with 25 homers, 96 RBIs and a .776 OPS while playing all 162 games for the Braves this past season. His 6.4 WAR in 2022 was the second-most among MLB shortstops, according to FanGraphs, trailing only the Mets’ Francisco Lindor.
Trea Turner (who joined the Phillies on an 11-year, $300-million deal), Xander Bogaerts (11-year, $280-million deal with Padres) and Carlos Correa (six-year, $200-million deal with Twins) were the other star shortstops available in free agency.
Ricketts echoed what Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has emphasized lately – that up-the-middle defense will be critically important with MLB significantly limiting shifts in 2023. The new rules will require two fielders to be on either side of second base when a pitch is delivered, so fielders with good range will be even more important.
With Swanson in the mix, the Cubs will shift Nico Hoerner – a former Gold Glove finalist – from shortstop to second base.
“Defense is going to matter more,” Ricketts said. “We’re seeing the shift go away in Major League Baseball this year, so second base is going to be a premium defensive position, like it was when we were kids. To be able to move Nico over to second while he’s a Gold Glove-caliber, maybe a Platinum Glove-caliber type second baseman and of course Swanson won the Gold Glove last year at short, I think that’s really going to be a great cornerstone for our team for years to come.”