3 best Braves options at shortstop if Dansby Swanson signs elsewhere
By Mark Powell
If the Atlanta Braves lose Dansby Swanson to the Cubs, Dodgers or elsewhere, they need to be ready with several backup plans.
Dansby Swanson is lingering in free agency, in part due to his wedding to USWNT Mallory Pugh over the week, and the fact that he’s looking for the right fit. The Cubs, Cardinals, Mariners and Dodgers have all come calling, at some point.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos has, for the most part, remained silent. Swanson himself (or his representation) reportedly had to call Anthopoulos to discuss the matter at hand. It’s eerily similar to what occurred with Freddie Freeman just last year, who left for Los Angeles as well. AA traded for Athletics catcher Sean Murphy on Monday, making his first big splash of the offseason. Is Swanson soon to follow?
With that in mind, Atlanta must have a damn good backup plan in mind. If not, they’re playing with fire.
Braves could sign a high-priced shortstop
Given their internal replacements, signing the likes of Carlos Correa looks to be a longshot, but let’s give it a chance.
If Correa’s price were to drop rather significantly, in similar fashion to last season when he signed a short-term, high AAV deal with the Minnesota Twins, then perhaps Atlanta could take a swing at him. Correa would be a decisive upgrade over Swanson, though some recent reports suggest he could get north of $300 million.
Swanson will not sign for that amount. In fact, it would be a surprise if he gets $200 million. Correa is also younger than Dansby, which would make him a more intriguing option to the Braves, if they could afford him in the first place.
The Braves are far more likely to trade for a Swanson replacement, or replace him in-house. But imagining Correa in an Atlanta uniform is a fun exercise for the insane.