Dansby Swanson – Chicago Cubs Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Dansby Swanson has carved out a reputation as one of baseball’s top shortstops since joining the Chicago Cubs. The former Atlanta Brave really grabbed attention when he signed a seven-year, $177 million contract with the Cubs in December 2022, a move that says a lot about his value in today’s game.

That big contract, averaging about $25.3 million per year, keeps Swanson in Chicago at least through 2030. It just shows how much teams value his elite defense and steady bat.

The two-time All-Star didn’t take a straight path to his current deal. The Arizona Diamondbacks picked him first overall in the 2015 MLB Draft, but they traded him to Atlanta before he even debuted. Swanson’s time with the Braves, especially during their 2021 World Series win, really boosted his reputation—and his earning power.

He kept improving and earned his second All-Star nod in 2023, which was his first season with Chicago.

Some analysts have wondered if the Cubs paid too much for Swanson, but his defense and leadership bring more to the table than stats can show. His contract puts him among the highest-paid shortstops, which makes sense given his impact up the middle.

Dansby Swanson Early Life and Baseball Background

James Dansby Swanson’s road to the majors started in Georgia, where he showed off his athletic skills early on. His rise from youth leagues to Cubs’ star shortstop took a lot of work and plenty of standout moments.

Childhood and Education

Dansby Swanson was born on February 11, 1994, in Kennesaw, Georgia. His parents, Nancy and Cooter Swanson, made sure he balanced school and sports.

At Marietta High School, Swanson became a standout in both baseball and basketball. He led both teams as captain his senior year.

Injuries, like a broken ankle in his sophomore year, didn’t stop him. He kept his grades up too, matching his performance on the field.

Amateur Baseball Beginnings

Coaches noticed Swanson’s baseball talent early, especially his hand-eye coordination and smooth fielding. He played on competitive travel teams all over the Southeast as a teen.

Summers meant baseball camps and private lessons for Swanson. He worked on his swing and his footwork, always looking to get better.

By his junior year, Swanson was one of Georgia’s top prospects. Scouts started showing up, drawn by his fielding and growing power at the plate.

The Colorado Rockies drafted him in the 38th round in 2012, but Swanson decided to play college ball and keep developing.

College Baseball Achievements

At Vanderbilt, Swanson started at second base before moving to shortstop. He really broke out as a sophomore, helping the Commodores win the 2014 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship.

In 2015, Swanson batted .335 with 15 home runs and 64 RBIs. He picked up the Brooks Wallace Award as the nation’s best collegiate shortstop.

Swanson led Vanderbilt back to the College World Series finals in 2015. They didn’t win it all that year, but his play left no doubt he was an elite prospect.

Arizona made him the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, which set up the next phase of his career.

Professional Career and Achievements

Dansby Swanson’s baseball story is all about growth, defense, and coming through when it matters. He’s gone from hyped prospect to World Series champ.

MLB Draft and Debut

The Arizona Diamondbacks picked Swanson first overall in 2015. But before he played a single game for them, they traded him to the Braves in December 2015 for pitcher Shelby Miller.

Swanson debuted with the Braves on August 17, 2016. He quickly grabbed the shortstop job and hit .302 in 38 games, giving fans hope for the rebuild.

He had some ups and downs early on, especially at the plate. Still, his defense stayed sharp as he learned to handle big-league pitching.

Tenure with Braves

Swanson played seven seasons with the Atlanta Braves (2016-2022), locking down the infield. He became one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball during that stretch.

His 2022 season in Atlanta was his best. Swanson made his first All-Star team and took home a Gold Glove for his defense. The advanced stats backed up his glove work—he was among the league’s best.

He kept getting better at the plate, too. Swanson showed off some pop and speed, with 25 homers in 2022 marking his best offensive season.

His overall value (measured by WAR) jumped in his later years with the Braves.

World Series Victory

Swanson’s biggest moment came in 2021 when he helped the Braves win the World Series over the Houston Astros. Atlanta hadn’t won it all since 1995.

He came up clutch during the playoffs. Swanson hit a game-tying homer in Game 4 of the World Series, sparking a comeback that pushed the Braves ahead in the series.

His defense was just as important. Swanson and Ozzie Albies made a great double-play duo, pulling off big plays under pressure.

That championship run made Swanson a Braves legend, even after he left for Chicago.

Chicago Cubs Signing and Recent Seasons

After seven years in Atlanta, Swanson started a new chapter with the Chicago Cubs. His signing was one of the biggest moves of the 2022-2023 offseason and changed the Cubs’ infield in a big way.

Signing with the Cubs

Swanson signed a seven-year, $177 million deal with the Cubs in December 2022. The contract included a $7 million signing bonus and runs through 2029. The Cubs turned to Swanson after missing out on other top shortstops.

He joined Chicago fresh off a World Series win with Atlanta. Cubs management wanted him as a defensive anchor and a leader for their clubhouse.

His arrival brought excitement back to Wrigley Field. Fans hoped Swanson could help end the team’s recent struggles and get them back to the playoffs.

Performance and Impact

In his first Cubs season (2023), Swanson flashed his signature defense and made the All-Star team on July 2. His glove at shortstop instantly improved the Cubs’ infield.

He needed some time to adjust at the plate. His hitting didn’t always match his best years in Atlanta, but his leadership never slipped.

Fans started showing up in bigger numbers after Swanson joined. His work ethic and attitude made him a role model for younger teammates.

Defense remains his calling card. The Cubs’ front office still weighs whether the huge investment will pay off over the full seven years.

Dansby Swanson Contract Details

Dansby Swanson locked in a major deal with the Cubs in December 2022, one of the offseason’s headline shortstop contracts. The Cubs committed big money, and Swanson got long-term security.

Contract Structure and Terms

Swanson’s seven-year, $177 million contract with the Cubs started on December 17, 2022. He’ll average about $25.3 million a season through 2029.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Annual salary: $28 million for 2023
• Contract length: 7 years (2023-2029)
• Total value: $177 million, all guaranteed

Swanson signed during a wild free-agent market for shortstops. The Cubs landed him after he spent seven years with the Braves.

His deal changed the Cubs’ payroll picture and pushed them near the luxury tax line. It just shows how much teams are willing to pay for All-Star shortstops these days.

No-Trade Clause and Perks

Swanson’s contract includes a full no-trade clause, so he controls where he plays for all seven years. That’s a big deal, especially with players moving around so much now.

Some extra perks:

• Award bonuses: More money for All-Star picks, Gold Gloves, MVP votes, and so on
• Performance incentives: Pay bumps for plate appearances and certain stats
• Deferred money: Some salary gets paid after the contract ends

This structure helps the Cubs manage the luxury tax, but they still get a two-time All-Star shortstop. Swanson made the All-Star team again in 2023, showing immediate value.

Net Worth and Financial Impact

Dansby Swanson’s finances have taken off along with his career. He’s gone from rookie deals to one of baseball’s richest shortstops, especially after joining the Cubs.

Salary and Career Earnings

Swanson’s big payday came in December 2022 with that seven-year, $177 million contract and a no-trade clause for security.

He currently earns $13 million a year, though that number shifts as the contract progresses. He made a lot less with the Braves, where he started out after being drafted first overall in 2015.

By 2025, Swanson’s career earnings top $200 million when you add in his rookie and arbitration years. That jump in salary lines up with his defensive skills and improved hitting that made him a hot free agent.

Endorsements and Investments

Swanson doesn’t just rely on his baseball salary. He’s picked up endorsement deals and invested smartly. Adidas is one of his partners for gear and apparel.

Winning the World Series in 2021 made Swanson more marketable. He’s not shy about his public image, especially now that he’s in Chicago’s big market.

His exact investments aren’t public, but estimates put his net worth at about $44 million as of 2024. That includes his MLB pay and business ventures. Swanson has put money into real estate and startups, following the trend of athletes building wealth off the field.

Comparison to Other Shortstops

Swanson landed a $177 million contract, which put him fourth among shortstops who signed during the 2022-23 offseason.

Trea Turner (Phillies, $300 million), Carlos Correa (Twins, $200 million), and Xander Bogaerts (Padres, $280 million) all signed even bigger deals.

Altogether, these four shortstops pulled in over $950 million. That number really shows how much MLB teams crave elite talent at this spot.

Swanson didn’t get the biggest contract, but his annual value stacks up pretty well.

If you look at performance versus what he gets paid, Swanson’s defensive metrics usually put him near the top for value.

He brings Gold Glove defense at a position where that’s rare, and that alone justifies a big chunk of his contract—even when his offense goes up and down.

Swanson also stands out for his durability. He’s averaged 154 games per season since 2019.

Some of his peers have dealt with longer injury histories and missed a lot more time, so Swanson’s reliability really boosts his overall value compared to higher-paid shortstops.