Chicago Cubs News: Offseason spending, Michael Conforto, and more
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The Chicago Cubs quelled the idea that the team is afraid of spending on Saturday as the team agreed to a 7-year deal with free-agent shortstop Dansby Swanson worth $177MM. Swanson's deal with the Cubs now pushes the team to the brink of the top 5 in regard most money committed this offseason by Major League Baseball teams.
Spent on free agents this offseason (rounded million $)
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) December 17, 2022
Almost $3.5 BILLION!
NYY 574
NYM 477
SFG 463
PHI 387
SDP 352
CHC 265
TEX 230
HOU 93
STL 88
CHW 87
TOR 72
LAA 53
BOS 48
LAD 45
MIN 41
TBR 40
CLE 39
OAK 31
DET 19
BAL WSN 18
PIT 12
ARI 10
COL 9
KCR 3
ATL CIN SEA 1
MIA MIL 0
Naturally, there will be criticism of the Cubs' deal with Swanson in saying that the team overpaid for a shortstop that was not on the same level as the other free-agent shortstops that were available this offseason in Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, and Xander Bogaerts. Here is the rub--the market has dictated that just about every free agent signed this offseason has been overpaid. The term "overpaid" is beginning to become an unfair description in regard to these free-agent deals as critics are evaluating these deals based on a market that no longer exists in 2022.
Sitting on the sidelines refusing to spend is what allows a team to be content with finishing in third place season after season. Was Swanson the preferred shortstop for the Cubs when the offseason began? No. Is Swanson still a good player? Yes. Are the Cubs a better team today than they were at the start of yesterday? Yes.
A local connection between the Chicago Cubs and Michael Conforto
In a clip that was released to Twitter on Saturday night, Marquee Sports Network MLB insider Bruce Levine made a very direct reference to Michael Conforto.
What will the Cubs lineup look like in 2023?
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) December 18, 2022
Tune in to Cubs 360 tomorrow at 2 pm. pic.twitter.com/d5IFa9VHUc
That was a strong insinuation by Levine regarding the fact that Conforto is not penciled into the Cubs' lineup yet. Over the past couple of months, there have been connections made between the Cubs and Conforto on a national level, but Levine's reference on Saturday was the first local connection made between the two sides.
What are the Chicago Cubs getting in Dansby Swanson?
Marquee Sports Network contributor Lance Brozdowski had an excellent breakdown of Dansby Swanson on Friday and how he projects moving forward.
Around Major League Baseball
Potential Chicago Cubs' designated hitter target JD Martinez signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $10MM.
The J.D. Martinez deal with the Dodgers reunites him with hitting coach Robert Von Scoyoc, who was wildly influential in his ascent, as well as his former Boston Red Sox teammate Mookie Betts. Dodgers targeted Martinez early in free agency. First on agreement was @ByRobertMurray.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 17, 2022
The Cubs still need a catcher but it won't be Austin Hedges as he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Hedges to Pirates. $5M
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 17, 2022