Assessing the Cubs' Dansby Swanson signing as we near the contract's halfway point

We're quickly approaching the midway point of the seven-year deal Dansby Swanson signed with the Chicago Cubs. With three seasons down, Swanson, 31, is currently the seventh-highest paid shortstop in baseball (AAV) and the highest paid player on the team. His contract is the second-largest in Cubs history behind the $184 million deal Jason Heyward signed ahead of the 2016 campaign.

Expectations were high for Swanson when he arrived in 2023, but what's the verdict on his performance as we close the book on 2025 and look ahead to 2026?

In 455 games, Swanson has hit .243/.313/.408 with 62 home runs, 223 RBI, a .721 OPS and 102 OPS+ in Chicago. Defensively, he's been one of the best fielders in baseball, sporting a cumulative 31 DRS (defensive runs saved), 39 OAA (Statcast Outs Above Average), and 31 FRV ( Statcast Fielding Run Value in runs above average). Over three seasons, he's averaged roughly a 10 DRS, 13 OAA, and 10 FRV. His efforts have resulted in a cumulative 12.3 fWAR over three seasons, an All-Star nod (2023), and two Gold Gloves (2023, 2024).

Comparing Swanson's offensive production over the past three years cumulatively to other qualified shortstops, he's tied for seventh in home runs, sixth in RBI, 15th in OBP, 13th in slugging percentage, 17th in OPS, and tied for 13th in wRC+ (101). On the defensive side, he's first in DRS, second in OAA, third in FRV, and committed the fifth-fewest errors (27). Swanson's 39 OAA is the fourth-best among any qualified defenders in baseball at any position since 2023.

Dansby Swanson's defense has been critical to the Cubs' success

There is not much perspective to put into, or worth debating, on the defensive side of his game; he is elite, and it does not require a bunch of stats for people to see that. Just watch the Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres when his defense essentially won the Cubs that series. Any question of value comes on the offensive side of the equation.

The slash, OPS, and OPS+ in a vacuum look fairly average to slightly above average. Not at all bad, but not the elite numbers the likes of Francisco Lindor, Bobby Witt Jr., Corey Seager, or Trea Turner put up. While being the highest-paid Cub, Swanson is nowhere near the most productive bat on the team, either. Among players with 550+ at-bats on the team, he ranked seventh in wRC+ in 2025. He's also been very streaky at the plate. Some downspells have been due to injury, as it was at the end of 2023 and early 2024, while other slumps have been a bit odder, such as the RISP woes he had last year, prompting him to be moved down in the order.

With that said, the offensive numbers have been pretty much in tune with his career numbers (.251/.318/.414, .732 OPS, 97 OPS+). While he hit a nice peak with the Braves in 2022 with a career-high 114 OPS, he's been producing around where the baseball card says he will. A healthy Swanson has proven he will provide 20-home run power and slug over the .400 mark.

Combining a top-tier glove, solid pop, and an overall good clubhouse presence, the Swanson investment has been worthwhile. Shortstop is a premier position, and the veteran is rightfully placed in the top 10, but not the top five, in terms of salary at the position. Is he a star hitter? No. Is the overall contract amazing value? Also no. He has his weaknesses and can be very frustrating at the plate at times, but the production is still solid enough. Swanson is an expensive cog that fits nicely with the team.

Big question going forward is how Swanson and his contract will age - there are still four years left. The back end could look rough, especially if age takes away a bit of the physical range and ability in the field. Though, this probably expected the day they signed him. For right now, the Swanson deal has been a fine investment for the Cubs.