The Importance of Dansby Swanson in 2025

[Andrew Wright]

You could look all over the Chicago Cubs roster and pinpoint certain players who need to step up and lead the charge in 2025. Ultimately, though, the health and production of star shortstop Dansby Swanson will carry this team as far as it goes.

Image courtesy of © Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

After signing with Chicago prior to the 2023 season, Dansby Swanson hasn't quite lived up to the $177-million contract he was given. He posted batting averages of .244 in 2023 and .242 in 2024. Swanson has also started to miss time, something he hadn't done since very early in his career.

The dip in batting average isn't nearly as concerning as the missed games are. Swanson is just a career .252 hitter. His best season in the average department (and really overall) was 2022, his last season in Atlanta. Swanson hit .277 with 25 homers that season, prompting Chicago to pay him the big bucks over seven seasons. The 28 missed games over the last two seasons are part of a growing concern.

Swanson played 147 games in 2023 and 149 in 2024. Those were his lowest totals in a season since he played just 127 games for the Braves in 2019. Manager Craig Counsell acknowledged that Swanson has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons but expects him to be as healthy as ever headed into the 2025 season.

Another low number for Swanson in 2024 was his home run total. Once again, the lack of pop could be influenced by the nagging injury, but 16 homers were his fewest in a non-shortened season since 2018, when he hit 14 in his first full campaign for Atlanta. Swanson's .390 slugging percentage was the second-lowest of his career, with the lowest coming in 2017, his second year in MLB and a much smaller sample.

The previous two seasons for Swanson resulted in an All-Star Game appearance, Gold Glove awards, and even a few MVP votes. The 2024 season contained none of that. So, what exactly must he do differently in 2025? Staying healthy is the first step, Swanson being available for the 154-162 games that were his former custom will be huge for Chicago. That will provide not only stability on defense, but a chance for Swanson to stay in a rhythm and routine at the plate.

In the 28 games missed over the last two seasons from Swanson, the Cubs have a record of 11-17. For a team that has struggled to get above 85 wins in the last few seasons, having Swanson on the field every day will be a necessity.

If he is able to stay healthy and be available every day over the course of 162 games, Swanson's leadership and skill set will be crucial for the Cubs, who are looking to capture their first real division title since 2017.

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