Dansby Swanson
#7 SS · Cubs
Gold Glove '23
Height
6'0"
Weight
190 lbs
Age
32
College
Vanderbilt
Draft
2015, Rd 1, #1
Experience
10 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
F
C
B-
N/A
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Grade Dansby Swanson
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The Verdict on Dansby, in One Read
On the field, Dansby Swanson grades out as a middling SS for Cubs (C Performance). That places him 44th of 60 graded shortstops. The contract is harder to defend: the Contract Value Index calls it a significant overpay (F), with the cost outrunning the output. The public read is positive (B- Sentiment), drawn from current news and social signal rather than the box score. With 10+ seasons of track record, these grades rest on a deep sample.
Career StatsC
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 1340 | 0.24791878 | 171 | 661 | 0.7271231 | 111 | 1221 |
| 2026 | | 60 | .184 | 7 | 28 | .617 | 5 | 37 |
| 2025 |
Current Contract
Length
7 years
Total Value
$177.0M
Guaranteed
$106.2M
AAV
$25.3M/yr
Guaranteed %60%
Contract Value Index (CVI)
F
Overpay
OverpayFair ValueGreat Value
Dansby Swanson's 7-year, $25.3M AAV deal with the Cubs earns an F CVI grade — a contract that looks increasingly problematic as he enters his age-32 season. Despite his Gold Glove pedigree (2022, 2023) and solid defensive reputation, his C performance grade suggests he's not producing at a level that justifies premium shortstop money in today's market. The former first overall pick (2015) is now firmly in the established veteran phase where decline becomes a real concern, yet the Cubs remain committed through his age-38 season on this massive deal. While the organization and fanbase maintain positive sentiment around Swanson's clubhouse presence and defensive excellence, the financial reality is harsh — paying elite money for above-average production with significant age-related risk baked into the remaining years. The lengthy term structure only amplifies the value concern, as shortstops rarely age gracefully through their late thirties, making this one of the more questionable long-term investments in recent Cubs history.
Performance Analysis
C
FCA+
Dansby Swanson earns a middling C grade, positioning him as a solid starter at shortstop but falling short of elite production at his premium position. The former first overall pick continues to anchor the Cubs' infield with Gold Glove-caliber defense, having captured back-to-back defensive honors in 2022 and 2023 that validate his reputation as one of the game's most reliable shortstops. While his glove work remains elite, offensive inconsistencies prevent him from reaching the upper tier of shortstops, creating a gap between his $25.3M AAV contract and his overall production value. At 32, Swanson sits firmly in the established veteran phase where maintaining his defensive excellence becomes crucial as athletic skills naturally decline with age. The Cubs organization and fanbase maintain strong confidence in his leadership and clubhouse presence, with recent headlines highlighting his mentorship role and continued preparation work that suggests sustained performance levels. His partnership with second baseman Nico Hoerner has drawn positive attention, indicating the defensive stability he provides remains a cornerstone of Chicago's infield construction.
Contracts in the Same Value Band
Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the F band — a quick read on where Dansby's contract sits relative to comparable money.
How Dansby Compares at the Position
Dansby Swanson ranks 44th of 60 graded shortstops by performance. That slots Dansby between Xavier Edwards (C+) just ahead and Braden Shewmake (C) just behind.
Graded higher
Xavier EdwardsMarlinsC+DeNzer GuzmanAngelsCCarlos CorreaAstrosCDansby SwansonC
Graded lower
Braden ShewmakeAstrosRecent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 6/17 | vs COL | L 2-5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Tue, 6/16 | vs COL | W 5-4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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About this player
Dansby Swanson is a veteran in his 10th MLB season listed at SS for the Cubs. FanVerdicts covers every MLB player, team, GM, and transaction — and puts your verdict on all of it. Sign in to cast your Fan Verdict on Dansby Swanson, see where the crowd lands, and argue the call. FanVerdicts also brings its own read — performance, sentiment, and Contract Value Index — as one honest input alongside the crowd's. Where FanVerdicts has weighed in so far: Contract Value Index F, Performance C, Sentiment B-.
The crowd's Fan Verdict moves in real time as fans vote on this profile. FanVerdicts' own read updates as new data lands — performance recalculates when MLB game stats post, sentiment shifts with media coverage and fan discussion, and the Contract Value Index recomputes when contract terms change. Contract details below show the structure (years, total value, average annual value, guarantees) behind the Contract Value Index read.
For league-wide context, the MLB hub has team rankings, GM report cards, the transactions feed, and live scoreboards. The MLB player rankings page sorts every active player by performance and contract value within their position.
