Ranking the top 5 Cubs offseason moves

Ranking the top 5 Cubs offseason moves: #1 - Dansby Swanson

As if this list could end any other way. Despite the emergence of Nico Hoerner as a top-tier defensive shortstop in 2022, the Cubs headed into the winter as a perfect fit for any one of the four free agent shortstops, including Dansby Swanson, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Trea Turner.

When it was all said and done, Chicago came away with Swanson - handing the former All-Star and Gold Glover a seven-year, $177 million contract, the second-richest deal in franchise history. The addition of the World Series champion infielder means Hoerner will slide back over to second, giving the Cubs one of the best double play combinations in all of baseball.

I could sit here and list off all the statistics that make me love the Swanson move, but, really, after the 2021 sell-off that sent a resoundingly clear message to fans about the direction of the team, bringing in a guy who's done nothing but win everywhere he's played is the key takeaway here.

From his college days at Vanderbilt to his years with the Braves, Swanson has always been a leader focused on one thing above all else: winning. That's exactly what this Cubs team needs as a new competitive window begins to open in Wrigleyville and it made him a perfect fit in free agency.