Braves: 3 more extension candidates after locking up Charlie Morton

Extending Dansby Swanson will help keep the elite middle infield intact

While the Braves have done a great job of extending the players, young and old, one guy who could be hitting free agency relatively soon is shortstop Dansby Swanson. The Marietta, Georgia native has played his entire big-league career in Atlanta uniform. Though he has not been an All-Star for the Braves in six seasons, his bat has finally been as good as it was while at Vanderbilt.

Like Duvall, Swanson is arbitration eligible this winter and will not be hitting unrestricted free agency until 2023. What does make this issue more pressing is Swanson is still on the good side of 30-years-old. Yes, he may want to continue playing for his hometown team above all else, but once a marquee player like him hits free agency, money talks. The Braves could come up cheap.

The other big key besides Swanson being in the midst of his prime is he has formed an excellent middle infield tandem with All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies. Though Albies is clearly the better of the two players, they have made each other better by playing next to each other for the last several seasons. It would be an absolute shame if that came to an end after next MLB season.

This may be a controversial move, but re-signing Swanson is the right decision for the Braves.