Dansby Swanson briefly quiets doubters, but is his defense enough for Cubs?

Perhaps Dansby Swanson heard the questions being asked. With his performance at the plate continuing to crater, there were people wondering if it was time for the veteran shortstop to get more than a couple of days off.

But for one day at least, those questions can be put on hold.

Swanson slugged a two-run homer during a seven-run second inning in the Chicago Cubs’ 8-6 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.

“I know that, at some point, good things will happen,” Swanson said. “The work has been really, really good the last few days. I really feel confident in the direction I’m going. It’s a matter of compiling those days.”

One hit — one that had an xBA of .030 and was only a home run at six parks, including Wrigley Field — won’t fully quiet the rumblings of those wanting to see others get playing time for this team. Especially if Wednesday’s offensive outburst isn’t a more regular occurrence.

Still, team president Jed Hoyer and manager Craig Counsell aren’t ready to put Swanson to the side.

“I think we should be continuing to invest in Dansby getting back to the offensive player that we know he is,” Counsell said. “That’s what needs to happen for this team. That’s just important to keep trying to do. The best way to do that is to have him out on the field.”

Though Swanson’s offense is under the microscope, it’s not the reason why he was brought to town. It’s also not the reason Counsell feels so comfortable penciling his name into the lineup.

When the Cubs targeted Swanson in the winter of 2022, they did so with his defense in mind.

In a loaded class of shortstops — a group that included Trea Turner, Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts — Hoyer believed Swanson was the one who’d stick at the position and produce at a high level defensively the longest.

Three-plus years into the seven-year, $177-million contract he signed with the Cubs, the club appears correct in its analysis. By every advanced defensive metric, since 2023, Swanson has been either the best or second-best defensive shortstop.

His bat is where the concerns lie.

Entering the season, Swanson had largely been a league-average bat, posting a 101 wRC+ over his three years with the Cubs. However, 2026 has been a slog for Swanson.

“Obviously, Dansby has struggled,” Hoyer said. “He’s gotten some days off. I think he’s working hard to improve.”

At the end of Chicago’s last homestand, Counsell gave Swanson two days out of the starting lineup to try and get him a mental reset. Still, even with Wednesday night’s performance, Swanson has just four hits in nine games since being reinserted into the lineup on June 9.

Over the offseason, Swanson changed the way he went about business, altering his workouts and focusing on leaning more into his athleticism. One month into the season, it seemed to be working out. It’s fallen apart since then.

Swanson has continued to search for his best self and has focused on different things to try to get right, but nothing has clicked as of yet. Among qualified players, his .176 average is tied for last in baseball. His 72 wRC+ is tied for 11th-worst in the game. His quality of contact is down and his power output is, too.

Hoyer and Counsell seem to believe that sitting Swanson for an extended period of time isn’t the right move. Hoyer called the club’s run prevention “the backbone of the team.” He’s correct.

The Cubs lead baseball in Fielding Run Value and Outs Above Average, and they are second to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Defensive Runs Saved.

Some may try to point to the Cubs’ 4.26 team ERA as a reason they can’t rely on defense to win games, but that’s a faulty argument. That number is largely on the pitching than the defense. The Cubs lead all of baseball with 110 home runs allowed.

The decision makers feel that Swanson needs to get right for this team to be at its best. Counsell didn’t deny that he has to weigh the offensive output as well, though.

“Everything matters,” Counsell said. “There’s degrees of it. The difference in the offense, it matters. It all adds up to a player. One’s not more important than the other. It all adds up to what a player is.”

In 16 plate appearances since coming off the IL, Matt Shaw has six hits and a walk. Pedro Ramírez has shown flashes at the plate as well, hitting his first home run last weekend and getting key hits in the Cubs’ comeback victory on Monday.

Both also boast strong defensive infield prowess.

Last season, Shaw, while learning a new position, was a Gold Glove finalist at third base. Ramírez won the minor-league version of the award at third last season. Both can handle second, too. A defensive alignment with Nico Hoerner at shortstop and one of the two youngsters at second could work.

Would it really be that much of a defensive downgrade overall?

“It’s a worse defensive team,” Counsell said.

Swanson is clearly an elite defender. His baserunning is also among the best in baseball. FanGraphs’ Base Running metric has him 10th in baseball.

“The message is always about doing whatever you can help the team win a game,” Swanson said. “Those other things matter just as much. Maybe even more when you’re not swinging the bat.”

Perhaps Counsell ultimately decides that he needs to get more offense in the lineup, particularly against righties. He’s already begun pinch-hitting for Swanson late in close games. Perhaps Ramírez has a role on this team in the future. Shaw has already found more playing time after Counsell recently hinted he would.

Nights like Wednesday should help Swanson’s confidence and the Cubs overall. The 2026 Cubs would be best served by getting Swanson right and having his elite glove on the field with some solid offense to boot.

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