After Xander Boagerts, Carlos Correa and Trea Turner each signed a lucrative contract to join a new team, Dansby Swanson was left as the last man standing from the heralded group of free agent shortstops.
During various points of the offseason the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins were among the teams with reported interest in Swanson.
He went into free agency projected to receive a contract in the neighborhood of six years and an estimated $140 million.
During an offseason in which lucrative long-term contracts have been freely given out, Swanson is signing with the Cubs on a seven-year, $177 million deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel:
BREAKING: Cubs and Dansby Swanson have an agreement on a seven-year deal for $177 million, per source. https://t.co/9cmtK9mLzL
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) December 17, 2022
Swanson’s new contract with the Cubs grants him a full no-trade clause and doesn’t include opt-outs, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
Swanson deal with Cubs is 7 yrs, $177M full no trade clause. No opt outs.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 17, 2022
Although Swanson generally is viewed by many as being a tier below Bogaerts, Correa and Turner, he has the advantage in terms of durability.
Swanson was coming off a season in which he set career highs in RBI (96), stolen bases (18) and games played (162), and at 28 years old, is the same age as Correa, one year young than Turner and two years younger than Bogaerts.
The Cubs were long viewed as the biggest threat to sign Swanson away from the Braves due to his wife, Mallory, being a soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars.
Freddie Freeman wanted Dodgers to sign Dansby Swanson
The All-Star shortstop represents a second consecutive offseason in which a marquee member of the Atlanta Braves left the team. Freddie Freeman did so last winter, joining the Dodgers after failed negotiations and apparent misunderstanding with the Braves front office.
Atlanta similarly made an effort to sign Swanson to a contract extension during the season, but how aggressive they were is somewhat in question.
Meanwhile, Freeman reportedly was lobbying for the Dodgers to sign Swanson. The possibility, however, was never viewed as a likely scenario.
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
