3 dark horse Dansby Swanson replacements for Braves

Dark horse candidates for Braves to replace Dansby Swanson: Jose Iglesias

In such a stacked shortstop free agency class, it’s understandable that Jose Iglesias has gone forgotten about in the midst of the main storylines, but at this stage in the offseason, he has become one of the better free agents available.

Iglesias is not going to offer the same offensive luster that other available free agents this winter would have, and just like Rojas, he won’t replace Swanson’s bat. He’s a serviceable defender and could play a role similar to what Elvis Andrus could play: A veteran stopgap replacement while the Braves see how Vaughn Grissom develops or continue to survey trade and free agency options this year and beyond.

You’re not looking at someone who can statistically match the production of Swanson on either side of the field with Iglesias, but at the budget Atlanta is working with to sign a Swanson replacement, this is pretty much what they’ll be looking at in order to fill out the roster.

Iglesias has had a tough couple of statistical years following a really strong pandemic season.

Playing in Colorado and on the Western half of the country might just not be for Iglesias. He clicked when he played for the Baltimore Orioles in 2020 over 39 games, and he continued that production with Boston in 2021 after a bum year with the Angels that led to him being released by the team. Then, his season with the Rockies wasn’t good.

Here are his cumulative slash lines over the last three years:

• 2020 (Orioles): .373/.400/.556
• 2021 (Angels): .271/.309/.391
• 2021 (Red Sox): .356/.406/.508
• 2022 (Rockies): .292/.328/.708

Notably, the strong play with the Orioles came in a total of 39 games, and his 2021 season with the Red Sox included just 23 games.

A move back to the Eastern side of the country could be the scenic change Iglesias needs to get his offense back on track, perhaps?