Cubs Superstar Signing Pushing Team Towards Postseason

The Chicago Cubs made a big splash during last year's offseason when they gave out big contract to a free agent. In his first year with the team, he's playing a major role in pushing them towards a playoff appearance.

After the 2022 season, the Chicago Cubs were dealing with the fact that, once again, they became sellers at the trade deadline knowing they wouldn't make the playoffs.

They hadn't been in the MLB postseason since 2020, so instead of sitting around doing nothing, the Cubs' front office was aggressive in the free agency market.

The gem of their class wasn't former MVP Cody Bellinger, who was coming off difficult seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, it was Dansby Swanson, a solid shortstop who hadn't gotten the headlines in his class like Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts or Carlos Correa.

Chicago gave Swanson a seven-year, $177 million contract in a move that was viewed as desperate.

That supposed desperate move is now one of the reasons why the Cubs are on the verge of their first playoff appearance in three years.

Swanson has become a leader on this team in his first season.

He has brought a level of professionalism and leadership that the organization was looking for and needed.

"To me, there’s a difference in how we go about our business and the expectations and standards that we’ve started to create here. That’s a big deal. If you want sustainable success, you need that part first. I feel like we’ve done a really good job of building on that. Every day we show up, we expect to win. That’s a really important step until you can really thrive at a high level," he told The Athletic.

The 30-year-old shortstop has had his ups and downs this season for Chicago, but that hasn't deterred him from approaching the game the same way he always has.

Manager David Ross said about his superstar, "He’s thinking about winning plays, winning situations. He comes to me and talks about game-calling. He sees all aspects of the game. He’s not just absorbed with his performance. He’s pissed when he’s not doing well, but he’s also focused on the W."

That attitude has been a driving force for the Cubs to pull themselves off the mat and get a much needed sweep over the Colorado Rockies during their final home series to put themselves back into the playoff picture.

Now, Swanson will lead his team on the road to face his old Atlanta Braves team in the most important series of the year.

"You can see what you’ve been working towards, and you start laying it out there each and every day. It doesn’t really matter how you feel mentally and physically. You just have to strap it up and go," he said.