Inside The Cubs

Swanson Was Unsure of Chicago Cubs Decision At First

The Chicago Cubs secured their shortstop of the future in Dansby Swanson, but he didn't know if the fit made sense for him at first.
Swanson Was Unsure of Chicago Cubs Decision At First
Swanson Was Unsure of Chicago Cubs Decision At First

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The Chicago Cubs were pursuing one of the superstar shortstops in free agency all winter. In the end, they chose Dansby Swanson who signed a seven-year, $177 million deal. It was an excellent signing for the Cubs as they brought in an incredibly talented shortstop who was uber focused on winning a championship.

However, Swanson was unsure of Chicago at first glance according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman

“Truth be told, I wanted to win. I wasn’t sure this was the place,” Swanson said.

For Swanson, he has been a winner his entire career. The success he found with the Atlanta Braves, especially in the postseason, is something he wanted to carry on to his next club. 

While the Cubs are a storied franchise, they have been mired in mediocrity the last two seasons while undergoing a rebuild. That all changed this winter when ownership and the front office committed to spending real money in free agency.

Bringing in Swanson was the ultimate prize, but it proved they were on the right track. It was that mentality of desire to win that lured Swanson in. His only goal is to win. 

“I don’t play for personal glory. It’s all about building something that’s bigger than you. It’s about the legacy of the team.”

Asked why he chose the Cubs, Swanson said it just felt right. 

“It’s a gut feeling,’ Swanson said. “It’s hard to explain.”

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.