For the first time in his career, Dansby Swanson will play against the Braves. After spending seven seasons in Atlanta, Swanson hit free agency and signed a massive seven-year, $177 million deal this offseason to join the Cubs, who host the Braves this weekend. When asked about his former team without him, the Georgia native gave the exact answer fans expected:
Swanson is right — not one player makes any team, especially in the Braves’ case. Atlanta has now seen two All-Stars depart in back-to-back offseason and got better the following year. Freddie Freeman joined the Dodgers, and the Braves went on to win 100+ games. Dansby Swanson leaves, and they’re looking even better than last year.
The Cubs are the hottest team in baseball since the All-Star break as the club fights to sneak into the Wild Card, currently sitting 2.0 games out of the last spot. However, the Braves have run through a lot of “the hottest teams in baseball” this season — Reds, Phillies, Marlins, etc. I expect similar results at Wrigley Field this weekend.
For Swanson, he’s enjoying another All-Star campaign in his first season in the Windy City. He’s hitting .266 with 17 doubles and 15 home runs to go along with a .803 OPS while playing Gold Glove defense at shortstop. However, the Braves are pretty happy with what they came out with — Orlando Arcia.
After many complained about Arcia winning the starting job in Atlanta, the veteran went on to have the best season of his career, earning All-Star honors, alongside Swanson. Arcia is hitting .296 with 11 long balls, good for a .798 OPS while playing very good defense and costing the Braves significantly less than Swanson is costing the Cubs.
Both clubs are happy with their respective outcomes, but it’s hard not to call the Braves winners in all of this. Alex Anthopoulos once again finds the best bargains in baseball.
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