Jed Hoyer and the Cubs are heading into a pivotal offseason. After 4 straight years without a trip to the playoffs, Hoyer and Co. are looking to build a roster that can get the franchise back into October. As they work to enhance this group, we are analyzing the Top 10 building blocks already on the Cubs roster. Next up: Dansby Swanson.
Two winters ago, the Cubs signed Dansby Swanson to one of the biggest deals in franchise history — 7 years, $177 million.
And what do you expect from the highest paid player on your team? You expect them to be the most valuable player on the roster.
That’s exactly what Swanson was in 2024, leading the Cubs in FanGraphs’ WAR with a 4.3 mark.
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And that was in a season where his offense was down pretty significantly – to a below-league-average level of 98 OPS+ (100 is league average) – and he had a few uncharacteristic defensive miscues early in the season with some inconsistent throws.
At one point midseason, it seemed unlikely to expect Swanson to end up as the team’s most valuable player by WAR. He was hitting .201/.276/.335 (.611 OPS) on July 9 but finished with a flourish.
From July 10 on (a span of 68 games), Swanson hit .288 with a .353 on-base percentage and a .452 slugging percentage. He also collected 24 extra-base hits (including 8 homers), scored 49 runs and drove in 38.
That’s more in line with the player who posted a .761 OPS from 2021-23, averaging 25 homers, 88 RBI and 86 runs scored per season.
And despite the early-season miscues, Swanson still ended up making only 5 errors throughout the year and ranked 5th among MLB with 7 Defensive Runs Saved. That performance could earn him a 3rd straight NL Gold Glove Award.
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Swanson is key to the Cubs in so many facets – his elite defense at the game’s most premium position and his leadership in the clubhouse is an intangible value. He connects with his teammates in a rare way, to the point where players have given him shout-outs unprompted for advice or support.
Swanson’s Cubs teammates affectionately refer to him as “Coach” and Jed Hoyer has joked that they should find a desk for Swanson in the front office over the offseason.
He may not have the star-level offensive numbers one would expect from a player making north of $25 million a season, but Swanson provides value to the Cubs on a daily basis – both on and off the field.
He was brought in to help this team win and while it hasn’t happened yet, he will remain a big part of this roster the next time they earn a playoff berth.
Top 10 Cubs building blocks
1. Pete Crow-Armstrong
2. Justin Steele
3. Shota Imanaga
4. Dansby Swanson
5. Oct. 25
6. Oct. 28
7. Oct. 29
8. Oct. 30
9. Oct. 31
10. Nov. 1
Honorable mentions: Nov. 4
