Cubs: 3 high-profile shortstops Jed Hoyer could sign next offseason
By Drew Koch
When it come to the 2022-23 offseason, all eyes will be on Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer and which shortstops he makes a run at.
The offseason can’t get here soon enough for Cubs fans. Wrigleyville is relatively quiet this time of year with the Chicago Cubs out of playoff contention and the front office looking forward to next season.
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has already said that the team will be moving on from outfielder Jason Heyward during the offseason, and there’s a sense around the league that the Cubbies will be pursuing one of the top shortstops expected to be available this winter.
After bidding farewell to Javier Baez at last year’s trade deadline, the Cubs are still looking to fill the void at shortstop. There will be several talented players available during the offseason, but which three shortstops might Hoyer take a run at?
1. The Cubs could sign Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Dansby Swanson is slated to become a free agent this winter. The Georgia native picked a heckuva time to put together his best season as Swanson has been, arguably, the Atlanta Braves best player in 2022. Swanson was rewarded with a trip to the All-Star Game and could be rewarded with a massive contract this offseason.
But would the Braves really not re-sign Swanson this winter? That’s a tough call and one that Alex Anthopolous is going to have to make. The Braves have a lot of money tied up in their infield already after trading for Matt Olson and signing him to an eight-year extension. Atlanta also just locked up Austin Riley to a massive contract extension.
Keeping Dansby Swanson will certainly be on the Braves offseason agenda, but if the shortstop is unwilling to take hometown discount, the 28-year-old could be well on his way to signing elsewhere during the offseason.
The Cubs would be a terrific landing spot for Swanson. While he’s unlikely to command the highest contract among the shortstops who’ll be available this offseason, it’s still going to cost a pretty penny to sign Swanson to a free agent deal.