Swanson striving to be even better in second season with Cubs
Debuting for the Cubs last season after signing a seven-year, $177 million contract, Dansby Swanson was everything he was supposed to be over the first four months.
Heading into August, he was hitting a solid .263/.348/.429 with 13 home runs and 45 RBI. He was playing his usual standout defense at shortstop.
Over the final two months of the season, Swanson wore down.
He finished the year at .244/.328/.416 with 22 homers and 80 RBI and failed to help the Cubs secure what looked to be a certain playoff appearance.
All in all, it was a decent season, and Swanson did win his second straight Gold Glove after making his second straight trip to the All-Star Game.
In retrospect, Swanson wasn't completely satisfied with his performance.
“When you look at everything, it was a really difficult year, personally,” Swanson told reporters at spring training. “It was just challenging. And at the end of the day, I fought about as hard as I've fought in a long time. I kind of see that as personal success in a certain way, because it's going to help shape me for things ahead.”
After leading the major leagues with 162 games played in 2022, his final season with the Braves, and topping the National League with 160 games played in 2021, Swanson was sidelined by a left heel injury in July.
He wound up playing in 147 games with the Cubs, third on the team behind left fielder Ian Happ (158 games) and second baseman Nico Hoerner (151).
Swanson could have used some days off down the stretch, but he's a player that always wants to be on the field and the Cubs were making a furious push to make the playoffs under former manager David Ross.
New manager Craig Counsell is going to keep a close eye on Swanson's workload. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder celebrated his 30th birthday on Feb. 11.
“I'm not opposed to players that want to play every day,” Counsell said. “Who would be opposed to that? That's a good thing for the team. Does it make you the best player you can be? Is it the best for the team? Those are the things that we have to figure out and we have to assess.”
As he gets older, Swanson seems to be more receptive to taking a day off here and there.
“As (Counsell and I) continue to get familiar with one another, those conversations will be had,” Swanson said. “Just build that trust with one another. If there’s something he sees and he needs or wants to give me a day off, then I’ve got to trust that, not fight my way through the brick wall like I’ve done plenty of times before. A lot of that just comes with experience and time together.”
Barring injury, Swanson should play close to 150 games this season. Miles Mastrobuoni can play shortstop when Swanson is not in the lineup, and Hoerner can move over from second base and fill in.
Top prospect Matt Shaw is a natural shortstop, but he's been getting a look at third base in training camp.