3 Chicago Cubs Gold Glove candidates for the 2024 season

1. Dansby Swanson

Although Dansby Swanson has had a down year offensively, his defense has rebounded increasingly as the season continues. Where his range was way down to begin the year, he has stepped up nicely, now having recorded 16 Outs Above Average and 12 runs prevented. That mark is second in the National League among shortstops, trailing only Francisco Lindor with 17/13. Swanson is a player who could easily take the lead in those two categories with the stellar defense he displays night in and night out.

Swanson's defense makes up for him not always being the best offensively, and like Crow-Armstrong before him, at least offers the Cubs best-in-the-league up-the-middle defense when he's not swinging it well. When he is hitting, though, he is a core member of the Cubs who can easily approach a 4.0 WAR season.

His slick fielding is some of the most impressive in all of MLB, and it wouldn't be surprising if he does beat out Lindor for the Gold Glove. According to Fangraphs, Swanson's .99% fielding percentage and five defensive runs saved marginally edge out Lindor's .98% and 3 DRS. It will be interesting to see who received the award this year.