Chicago Cubs News: Offseason spending, Michael Conforto, and more

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.

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.

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 Cubs still need a catcher but it won't be Austin Hedges as he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.