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The days of the Chicago Cubs having one of the best players at the shortstop position have returned as Dansby Swanson was ranked as the sixth-best shortstop in Major League Baseball during the latest positional rankings on MLB Network's "MLB Now" on Thursday night.
One of two players to post a full 162-game season in 2022, Dansby Swanson enjoyed a career-high in hits, RBI and OPS+ en route to his first All-Star appearance.
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) January 27, 2023
The new @cubs star comes in as our #⃣6⃣ Shortstop on the #Top10RightNow list. pic.twitter.com/FVlmTmUNnY
Swanson brings stability to the middle of the Cubs' infield as well as their lineup. Entering the 2023 season, Swanson is the clear face of the Cubs' franchise. The Cubs' signing of Swanson to a seven-year deal this offseason showed a clear shift at the Major League level for the team. The priority for the organization at the Major League level is winning.
Interestingly enough, the full shortstop rankings might be Indicative of how the free-agent shortstop class was considered this offseason.
Agree or disagree with @MLBNow's #Top10RightNow at SS? pic.twitter.com/TnGOlyEcAf
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 27, 2023
Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, and Xander Bogaerts were all considered to be impact additions for the team that signed them this offseason. There is no doubt that Swanson will have a significant impact on the Cubs moving forward but he may not be the superstar talent that the other three shortstops are.
Chicago Cubs have three prospects on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list.
Cubs prospects in @MLBPipeline Top 100:
— Ryan Herrera (@ryan_a_herrera) January 27, 2023
No. 28 - Pete Crow-Armstrong
No. 87 - Kevin Alcantara
No. 92 - Brennen Davis
For as much as Cubs fans may feel like there are not enough Cubs prospects represented on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list, the list is accurate. Of the top prospects within the Cubs' organization, there is no doubt that Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kevin Alcantara, and Brennen Davis have the highest ceiling. Assuming all three are able to stay healthy, there is a reasonable expectation that each may jump up the rankings by the time the 2023 season concludes. Davis, with a successful first half with Triple-A Iowa, may even have graduated from being a prospect before the end of the season.
Chicago Cubs add RHP Tyler Duffey on minor-league deal.
Source: The Cubs are adding pitcher Tyler Duffey as a non-roster invite who will compete for a bullpen job in spring training. Duffey made 295 appearances for the Twins across the last eight seasons, and the Cubs have a good track record with those types of free-agent relievers.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) January 27, 2023
In 40 appearances with the Minnesota Twins last season, Duffey posted a 4.91 ERA. Though, in the three seasons prior, Duffey posted an ERA of 2.50, 1.88, and 3.18 respectively. Duffey's home run to fly ball ratio spiked last season to 23.5% so if the Cubs are able to get that under control, he could be an effective reliever out of the bullpen in 2023.