The Phillies and the Cubs are both reportedly interested in signing Dansby Swanson, and both could be good contenders for the star.
The Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs have come into conversation as two teams interested in star shortstop Dansby Swanson.
While both teams are solid contenders to land Swanson, the Cubs seem to have the upper hand. Philadelphia is reportedly set to meet with all four shortstops, but Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts have been most heavily linked to the Phillies.
Swanson is a backup plan for the Phillies and they’d likely sign him if the others fall through, whereas the Cubs have been reported as a favorite to land Swanson and probably have him much higher on their list of priorities.
The Cubs also have quite a bit of payroll cleared up with Jason Heyward being cut from the roster and Willson Contreras likely leaving in free agency, so spending won’t be a major issue.
Landing Swanson could be huge in Chicago’s roster development.
Dansby Swanson could do big things for the Cubs
The Cubs haven’t been able to find the success they had in 2016 when they won the World Series, and part of the trouble is that several core members from that team are gone. The best solution is to build another team of the same caliber, which Swanson could certainly help toward.
Alone, he’s not the answer to all of the problems in Chicago, but he’s undoubtedly a step in the right direction. Swanson is great defensively, as proven by his Gold Glove earned this season. He’s coming off his best offensive season, and made his first All-Star Game in 2022.
Contreras was one of the best hitters in Chicago, but since he’s leaving, Swanson could be able to fill that void. The Phillies, on the other hand, are stacked with power hitters and Swanson wouldn’t make as heavy of an impact.
The Cubs understand the importance of landing a player of Swanson’s caliber, which is why they’re more likely to make such a move. Expect the Phillies to continue pining for Trea Turner, Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts.