Is It Time to Start Panicking About Dansby Swanson?

The Chicago Cubs signed a megadeal with star shortstop Dansby Swanson this winter, but his performance this spring has been lackluster. Is it time to start worrying?
Is It Time to Start Panicking About Dansby Swanson?
Is It Time to Start Panicking About Dansby Swanson? /
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We have seen questions and concerns about shortstop Dansby Swanson all over Chicago Cubs social media lately. So, we wanted to address those with this piece. 

Is it time to start panicking about Swanson?

No.

Well, that's the short answer, but here's the longer one. . .

Yes, Swanson is hitting .059 this spring, which by any measurement is not particularly awe-inspiring. His trademarked defense has been characteristically solid, but his performance at the plate is what has worried many.

You have to keep in mind that many of the games biggest stars have an adjustment period when changing teams. Especially so in Swanson's case as he is a Georgia native, grew up watching the Atlanta Braves, and then spent over seven years in their organization.

He has a new home, surrounding, and organization to adjust to. He has been thrust into a leadership role, a role he is capable of filling, but an added responsibility nonetheless. 

Swanson's performance this spring is such a non-factor in camp that even manager David Ross quelled any type of talk about it.

“Dansby Swanson is our starting shortstop. I don’t care if he gets a hit all spring, right? Some guys know where they’re playing, and they know they’re getting ready for the season. Some guys were here just to get experience and go back down to the minor leagues and start their season. Some guys are coming in competing for jobs. And competing for jobs is producing when it matters.”

But it's true, isn't it? Swanson has proven over the course of his career that he will perform when it matters most. Yes, his 2022 MLB season was a breakout season when he registered an OPS+ of 115 and who knows if that type of production is here to stay. 

Yet there is no reason to think he won't live up to his career slashline of .255/.321/.417.

It's natural to overreact when it comes to a new star player who is worth $177 million. But like Ross said, "who cares if he doesn't get a single hit all spring?"

Nothing to see here. 

And it's most definitely not time to start panicking. 

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.