It took less than 2 games for Dansby Swanson signing to start paying off for Cubs

Dansby Swanson didn’t cash his check and stagnate. The shortstop is doing everything the Chicago Cubs hoped he would do in the first few games of the year.

If we’re grading free agent contracts based on the first two games of the 2023 season, the Chicago Cubs get an A for securing Dansby Swanson.

Swanson was long-connected to the Cubs speculatively, and then that speculation turned into a real interest. Swanson agreed with Chicago on a seven-year $177 million deal to become the team’s shortstop of the future. He skirted re-signing with his hometown Atlanta Braves — who have several young prospects at the position to backfill him for cheaper coming up — to get to Chicago.

That’s a massive signing, but it’s one that, less than two games in, Swanson is already starting to show he’s worth it.

At the top of the fourth inning of Saturday afternoon’s game, Swanson dove into shallow left field for a hard-hit ground ball by William Contreras. From his knees, he launched a bouncing ball over to first base in time to get the out.

At that point, Swanson was 1-for-1, and then hit a double to lead off the bottom of the inning.

Dansby Swanson bringing energy on both sides for Cubs early in new deal

Swanson is, clearly, on a mission to prove his worth to Cubs faithful. Swanson has brought his Gold Glove experience to the Friendly Confines and, though he hasn’t previously been an amazing offensive player, has started off as good as one can on that side of the ball.

Through his first six at-bats, he’s 5-for-6. Nearly perfect, that just doesn’t happen.

Swanson will likely come down to earth quite soon here, but it’s clear that he’s brought his winning ways to Chicago, determined to do his part to keep the Cubs in the running in a competitive NL Central race. He won a World Series for his hometown Braves, can he do it for the Cubs?