Chicago Cubs Star Expected to Play Fewer Games in 2024

The Chicago Cubs are figuring out what their best course of action will be to ensure the team gets into the postseason. One of those things could be giving their star more games off to help keep him fresh.

There's a lot of attention on what the Chicago Cubs are going to do in the offseason to upgrade their roster.

That will be the storyline throughout free agency when monitoring what type of moves the front office makes.

One thing the Cubs expect will help them moving forward is if their star shortstop Dansby Swanson gets more rest days during the season.

He's expected to play fewer games in 2024 as the organization feels like his everyday play actually hurt his performance down the final stretch of the year.

Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports, "The front office will likely suggest that Swanson take a few days off next season rather than try to live up to his ironman reputation."

Swanson's struggles down the stretch were evident.

He went from a slash line of .258/.343/.409 prior to the All-Star break to hitting .225/.306/.425 after it.

"Not performing up to standards when it mattered most is probably what eats away at me the most. Stepping up in big moments when it’s needed, that’s kind of like who I’ve always been. That’s an important part of who I am and it just didn’t happen, which is the frustrating part," the star shortstop said.

After signing him to a seven-year, $177 million contract last offseason, Chicago needs him to live up to that financial commitment going forward.

One thing that the Cubs are certainly getting with Swanson is elite defense.

He won a Gold Glove award in 2022 and flashed that same level in his first season with Chicago.

But even his great defense took a hit during the final stretch of the season.

The front office believes that more rest will help increase his offensive numbers throughout 2024 and keep his defense sharp.

Don't be surprised when Swanson sits out more games than usual next year.