MLB insider is all-in on Dansby Swanson to Chicago

If Dansby Swanson does in fact leave the Atlanta Braves, at least one MLB insider considers the Chicago Cubs to be the favorite to land the star shortstop.

Chicago was in the running for Carlos Correa on a short-term deal last offseason, only to have that offer turned down in favor of the Minnesota Twins. Could they land another star shortstop just a year later?

MLB insider Jon Heyman rightly pointed out that the latest rumors suggest the Braves will not go over $140 million for their homegrown talent. Swanson is a former No. 1 overall pick. He’s a Georgia boy. But if Atlanta’s front office has proven anything over the last two years, it’s that they will not go over their valuations for any player, even the likes of Swanson and Freddie Freeman.

With that in mind, Heyman predicted that Swanson could go to the Chicago Cubs in his New York Post column:

"“If rumors are true that the Braves didn’t accede to his $140 million counter — the same deal Trevor Story and Javier Baez got — it’s obvious why some Atlanta people are pessimistic. Still, he is from Georgia. Favorites: 1. Cubs; 2. Braves.”"

Dansby Swanson could leave Braves for Cubs?

Theoretically, anything is in play, especially as we gear up for a wild MLB Winter Meetings. Swanson’s representatives have met with the Cubs, and he’s expected to garner some interest from the Philadelphia Phillies as well.

Atlanta has Swanson’s replacement in waiting, should they need him. Vaughn Grissom is only 21 years old, but he proved he can cut it at the MLB level last season and has plenty of promise as a top prospect. He won’t hit like Swanson right away, but at a cheaper price point, Alex Anthopoulos could punt on Dansby and invest the team’s money elsewhere.

As for Chicago, Nico Hoerner is solid enough at shortstop, but adding a player like Swanson into the mix is never a negative.