#Dansby Swanson

It's another Wednesday evening at BCB After Dark: the swinging spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. It's the last show of the week and we're going out with a bang. We're so glad you could come and join us. It's cold out there but it's warm in here. There are still a few good tables available. There's a two-drink…

For all the talk about how division races supposedly don't matter as much as they used to -- and I can think of a couple No. 1 and No. 2 seeds who would very much disagree with you -- it still means something to be able to call yourself a champion. I guarantee you there are Guardians fans who have 2022 AL Central champs shirts. It might not be the…

It's another evening here at BCB After Dark: the mellow meet-up for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We're so glad that you stopped in tonight. The place is always better with you than without you. There's no cover charge this evening, so come on in. Get in out of the cold. Let us take your coat for you. Grab any…

The New York Mets take on the Atlanta Braves. Check out our MLB odds series for our Mets Braves prediction and pick. Chris Bassitt goes to the mound for the Mets, while Charlie Morton starts for the Braves in this huge game. We'll tackle the pitching matchup in a moment, but let's be clear: The Mets and Braves are playing the biggest game of their…

Playing nine innings while congratulating Kevin Millar on shattering the all-time words-spoken-per-minute record by a NESN Red Sox analyst … 1. It's not much fun, and there's not much to be gained, to think about what the 64-68, last-place Red Sox are right now. So let me ask you: What's your within-reason ideal for what happens this offseason? To…

The MLB offseason is winding down as we are getting closer and closer to pitchers and catchers reporting to start another full baseball season. We have seen some big moves made across the board this offseason, as playoff teams tooled up their rosters to make another series push at a title in 2023. Here are the early World Series odds with a little…

The MLB is already set up to be filled with drama and unexpected twists in 2023. The winter meetings just took place in San Diego, and there were a number of noticeable moves that took place. Xander Bogaerts signed with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night which means over 20 free agents in the major league agreed to contracts. If you add the…

Moustakas is a left-handed power bat which the Cubs would like to have (Charles LeClaire - USA Today Sports) At this point in the MLB offseason, it is a safe bet to assume that most teams have made their big splashes. That doesn't mean more moves are not on the way, and teams will do whatever it takes to improve their roster. The Chicago Cubs fall…

The New Year, Volume 2023 is upon us, and that means a dual occasion to reflect upon our misfires of the year prior and look forward to our derelictions of the year to come. As it turns out, this grim ritual of inventory can also be applied to the clubs that play This, Our Baseball. The Royal We shall now do such a thing. Resolution: At least…

Positioned midway between the two biggest turkey-feasting holidays of the year, baseball's Winter Meetings are timed perfectly as a reminder that there's never enough leftover bird to bridge the gap. That's why it's always a good idea for the true bird lovers of the season to get a second turkey after Thanksgiving, a tradition embraced and passed…

After an All-Star break festooned with nostalgia, home runs, and bullpen dominance, the MLB schedule restarts Thursday, with some 70 games remaining for each team. So before the second half begins, let's dive into the top 10 story lines to monitor between now and October-because there's a whole lot of baseball left, and just as much drama on the…

The Philadelphia Phillies arereportedly "viewed as the favorites" to sign superstar shortstop TreaTurner, one of the top players available on the free-agent market. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported theupdate Wednesday: "The Phillies will wind up withone of the [elite] shortstops. That's going to happen," an agenttold ESPN's Buster Olney. Along…

Atlanta's been thorough at the plate of late, and can offset the advantage it may give up to start on the mound today. With St. Louis' bullpen vulnerable against the Braves' hot bats, see why our MLB betting picks like the Cardinals to get piled upon. Two NL teams looking to improve their playoff position will meet at Truist Park on Tuesday night…

Wednesday was an offday for American League Division Series action, so we only had the National League to watch. Both NLDS games at least made for compelling TV, and even better, both guaranteed at least one more playoff game in each series. The Dodgers and Phillies each had a chance to move up 2-0, but instead, the two NLDS sets are knotted up as…

There are New Year's resolutions, but how about new season predictions? There are many facets of the Nationals to consider, from the Major League level to the Minor League system to the Draft. As we look ahead to 2023, here are three things I am thinking and my predictions for them. Prediction: CJ Abrams will take leap into Gold Glove…

Now that the free-agent market is mostly settled, the next major player movement to monitor will be trades. For teams unable to check off their free-agent wishlist, it's still possible they can address some needs by making deals. Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star center fielder Bryan Reynolds officially requested a trade earlier this month after the two…

With MLB free agency winding down, the league is beginning to take shape. Some teams have drastically improved their chances of competing in 2023 based on swift offseason moves. The New York Mets just pulled off a stunner to land Carlos Correa after the shortstop had previously agreed to a deal with the San Francisco Giants. Other teams such as the…

Throughout the rest of the offseason, as the Orioles deliberate the best way to add another starting pitcher to the rotation, the calculus could shift the organization's thinking more toward pursuing a trade than signing a free agent. The free agent market for higher-end talent has already dwindled in that area, and Baltimore has appeared hesitant…

The Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves will face off in the final game of their three-game series in Atlanta Thursday night. With that said, it's a good time to check out our MLB odds series, which includes a Rockies-Braves prediction and pick we have laid out below. Colorado is in the midst of another lost season, going 56-75 and once again…

Cody Bellinger sounded like he was attracted to what he heard about playing at Wrigley Field, and said he appreciated the chance to now play for two iconic franchises. But at the end of the day his one-year decision to play for the Cubs is a $17.5 million business decision. And at the end of next year how that decision gets measured might have more…

We're keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors. The Braves (Dansby Swanson), Dodgers (Trea Turner), Red Sox (Xander Bogaerts) and Twins (Carlos Correa) have all lost star shortstops in free agency this offseason. Where might they turn for an external replacement? According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (subscription required),…

The Cubs are getting ready to play ball and take on St. Louis and Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central. The three teams have more time to enhance their rosters before the start of the 2023 season, but as it stands now the Cardinals are less likely to have an easy jog to the division title. And that's true even after their signing of…

Yesterday afternoon was quite exciting as the Cubs signed free agent shortstop Dansby Swanson to a seven-year $177 million contract. That should begin the shake up for the rest of the off-season as the Cubs still have several more moves to go. But as for the Cubs' minor league middle infield prospects, how does the Swanson signing affect their…

Free-agent shortstop Dansby Swanson and the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a seven-year, $177 million deal, major-league and team sources confirmed to The Athletic. ESPN's Jeff Passan was first to report the Cubs and Swanson were finalizing a deal. Here's what you need to know: Swanson hit.277 with 25 home runs and a career-high 96 RBIs in 162…

Nine down, one to go. The 2022 free-agent signing period has been fast and furious. When Carlos Correa signed with the Giants earlier this week, he was the eighth of my top 10 free agents to sign. That breakneck pace hasn't slowed. On Thursday night, Carlos Rodón and the Yankees agreed to a six-year, $162 million contract, as Jon Heyman first…

The Chicago Cubs front office and ownership promised to make a splash this winter in free agency. Does Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon count? It's a start, but many of the Cubs faithful, as well as the media, firmly believed that the team would go after one of the elite shortstops that owned the market at the beginning of December. Of Xander…

After Aaron Judge spurned his hometown San Francisco Giants in MLB free agency, the team shifted its focus on 28-year-old shortstop Carlos Correa the former Houston Astros shortstop involved in the cheating and sign-stealing scandal that rocked the baseball world following the 2017 World Series. ESPN's Jeff Passan broke the news yesterday that the…

The NL West arms race reached another level on Tuesday night when the San Francisco Giants signed shortstop Carlos Correa to a 13-year, $350 million contract. The Giants had been a bridesmaid for a few other free agents, but they've had a big couple of days, signing pitchers Ross Stripling and Sean Manaea to two-year, $25 million deals. They also…

In the AL East, four teams have a decent shot of winning the division, and all of them are good. In the NL East, four teams have a decent shot of winning the division, and maybe one of them is good. The Mets look good on paper, but they're, you know, the Mets (more on that later). If the AL East is a battle royale against the titans of the league,…

And then there was one. Dansby Swanson is the final, high-profile shortstop remaining in this year's free-agency period following the San Francisco Giants' signing of Carlos Correa Wednesday night to a 13-year, $350 million deal. Which franchises have their eyes on the young star, hoping to improve their squads and win a World Series ring? Which…

Every day during the MLB Playoffs, The Athletic's MLB writers will make their picks straight up. We put our picks and all series coverage, plus the latest odds, all in one place for fans to easily digest and follow. Our in-depth coverage from our stable of The Athletic writers is linked below the picks. Series: Braves lead 3-1 Series…

It's a chilly Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning here at BCB After Dark: the jumpin' joint for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and get out of the cold. There are still a few good tables available. We're glad you could join us. The holiday cheer is flowing freely. No ugly sweater required. Have yourself a lovely…

There were 11 different players who received a contract of $100 million or more in free agency last offseason, led by Corey Seager who signed a 10-year, $325 million deal with the Texas Rangers. That list will likely be shorter this offseason, but there are still a number of high-profile players set to hit the open market, including New York…

Here's what you need to know about the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series, which begins Saturday: (All times PDT; all games televised on TBS) Game 1: Saturday, 5 p.m. at Truist Park Game 2: Sunday, 4:30 p.m. at Truist Park Game 3: Tuesday, TBD at Dodger Stadium Game 4: Wednesday, TBD at Dodger…

For the first time in a number of years, the Orioles are in an offseason where they might actually sign a notable free agent, instead of the last several years of, well, you know. The starting rotation is the area with the most obvious need, though plenty of fans have already talked themselves into the O's signing one of the "big four" shortstops…

The San Diego Padres used to boast MLB's richest farm system. After years of offseason and trade deadline wheeling and dealing, though, only one crowned jewel remains in the pipeline: budding shortstop Jackson Merrill. Between MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams, Taylor Trammell and Robert Hassell, general manager A.J. Preller has cut bait with several…

After waiting until a month after the World Series for the winter meetings to get the ball rolling, Major League Baseball's free-agent spending spree has been something of a runaway freight train. There have already been 30 free agents who signed contracts with an average salary of at least $10 million. And, no, we're not just talking about the New…

Carlos Correa made $35.1 million playing shortstop for the Minnesota Twins in 2022 - triple the amount of anyone else on the team. He batted.291 with a modest 22 home runs, 64 RBIs and 70 runs scored 136 games. Despite that, Correa opted out of the final two years of his deal that would have paid him similarly. Now he's a free agent, back on the…

Miami Marlins vs Atlanta Braves 5/28/2022 Picks Predictions Previews The Miami Marlins (18-25) will be hitting against the Atlanta Braves (22-24) in Game 2 of 3 of the NL East Division at Truist Park in Atlanta on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at 4:10 PM ET. Miami will try to get back in facing Atlanta on Saturday afternoon after they lost the opener at…

The Chicago Cubs struck early at the Winter Meetings by securing Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon. However, the possibility of signing one of the top four shortstops never came to fruition. Fans took to Twitter throughout the meetings, begging for the Cubs to do something involving Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson, or Xander Bogaerts. Entering the…

Another day went by on Saturday without the Atlanta Braves doing…well…anything. With the Braves doing the bulk of their spending in the form of long-term extensions over the last few years, the Braves shopping list this offseason is small. Given that the team likely won't want to go TOO far over the luxury tax threshold (count us among those that…

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Welcome to playoff baseball, where the "best" team wins the championship far less often than in other sports. To wit: According to Baseball Prospectus odds, no team in the 2021 playoff field has better than a 20 percent chance to win the World Series. With eight deserving teams ready to do battle, let's dive into the reasons each particular team…

Aaron Judge is staying put, Trea Turner is headed back to the National League East, Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander are switching state income taxes and Willson Contreras is changing sides in a heated National League Central rivalry... that's just a taste of the flurry of moves. MLB's first in-person Winter Meetings in three years was a veritable…

Both Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts came off the board this week during the Winter Meetings. With the meetings now over, Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson remain the only two shortstops on the free agent market. Last night, the San Diego Padres signed Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million contract. The Boston Red Sox now find themselves among…

Major League Baseball's explosive offseason has seen enormous contracts offered to the game's best, but several coveted players remain in search of a new team. One such player is 2017 World Series champ and All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa. In an offseason that has treated Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts very well financially, he could be the next…

So far, it has been a pretty quiet Winter Meetings for the Dodgers - at least, when it comes to retaining or brining in new players. They've still only signed Shelby Miller and officially announced Clayton Kershaw's re-signing, but they've lost some free agents along the way. Trea Turner on Monday signed an 11-year, $300 million deal with the…

By Ken Rosenthal, Fabian Ardaya and Matt Gelb Free-agent shortstop Trea Turner and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to an 11-year, $300 million deal with a full no-trade clause, league sources confirmed to The Athletic on Monday. ESPN first reported the news. Here's what you need to know: Turner ranks as No. 5 on The Athletic's Jim Bowden's…

Three down, at least two to go. That's where the Mariners' offseason currently sits. They entered the hot stove season with one major goal: upgrade the offense without sacrificing the pitching or clubhouse magic that keyed their first postseason run in two decades. In order to accomplish that goal, they effectively had up to four open spots: three…

Putting the Justin Verlander and Trea Turner contracts into perspective Justin Verlander signed a two-year deal with the Mets worth $86 milion, while Trea Turner signed an 11-year deal worth $300 million. Any way you cut it, it's a lot of money: Cody Bellinger is a free agent. Though it's unlikely, he could still return to Dodgers The Dodgers had…