Dansby Swanson and the Cubs are currently enduring a rough stretch in their baseball season, finding themselves 5.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot. A former All-Star has publicly criticized Atlanta’s former shortstop.
“You can’t solely blame him, but when you consider the contract—actually, forget the contract—and just look at the numbers… and many other factors. You see hard-hit rates dropping and various reports. At some point, adjustments are necessary. I’m not suggesting starting from scratch, but adjustments must be made. It seems like he’s forcing things, which isn’t comfortable for him.” Cliff Floyd Said
After signing a seven-year, $177 million deal and joining the Cubs, Dansby Swanson had an impressive debut season, earning All-Star honors and a Gold Glove. He posted a .244 batting average with 22 home runs, resulting in a league-average 100 OPS+.
Swanson’s performance has been a factor in the team’s disappointing results. The Georgia native currently holds a 74 OPS+, marking a 26% drop below the league average, the second-lowest of his career since becoming a full-time starter in 2017.
However, the Cubs were not just purchasing production, which was expected to regress from his standout 2022 season; they were also investing in his leadership and other intangibles. While he has largely delivered in that regard, his on-field performance has left something to be desired.
Swanson has a history of streaky hitting, making it unpredictable what his numbers will look like in the second half of the season. Yet, as Floyd pointed out, improvement is necessary. At the same time, baseball is a team sport, and blaming Swanson alone is unfair.
The Braves are facing their own challenges at shortstop with Orlando Arcia, who comes at a significantly lower cost compared to Swanson. Cubs fans may have legitimate concerns about Swanson’s current form, but as a Braves fan, I know he’s capable of turning things around with a strong two-month stretch.
