Cubs Shut Down Dansby Swanson Change Despite .587 OPS

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Cubs Shut Down Dansby Swanson Change Despite .587 OPS

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Jun 17, 2026 11:04 AM ET

The Chicago Cubs dropped to 38-36 on Tuesday after losing to the Colorado Rockies 5-2. The offense struggled, leaving nine runners on base and going 0-8 with runners in scoring position. Among those who struggled was shortstop Dansby Swanson , going 0-2 and being swapped out in the ninth inning for pinch-hitter Pedro Ramirez.

Swanson's shortcomings on offense have been a common theme this season. In 70 games, he has accumulated 229 at-bats, 39 runs scored, 40 hits, seven home runs, 28 RBIs and 34 walks. The two-time All-Star is also slashing .175/.281/.306 with a .587 OPS. With a career .725 OPS, he isn't playing up to normal standards.

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7).© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

His struggles at the plate have led to pressure for the Cubs to bench him. After Tuesday's loss, the president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, was asked if that's a possibility, but quickly shut it down, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

"Hoyer stated that the "backbone" of the team is run prevention: 'To answer the question directly, we can’t run away from our run prevention when we struggle offensively.'" Rogers wrote via an X post.

Jed Hoyer was asked if the team is considering a change at shortstop as Dansby Swanson is hitting .176. Hoyer stated that the "backbone" of the team is run prevention: “To answer the question directly, we can’t run away from our run prevention when we struggle offensively.”
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 16, 2026

Swanson has proven to be a reliable defender since making his MLB debut in 2016. In his first year with the Cubs, he even took home a Gold Glove Award. It was his second straight season earning the honor, also doing so in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves.

This season at shortstop, he has produced a 0.5 defensive WAR, a .985 fielding percentage and has committed just four errors. He's a key piece to a Cubs team that is tied for fourth in fielding percentage (.989).

Now in the fourth year of a seven-year, $177 million deal, Swanson is under contract with the Cubs through the 2029 season. Whether his bat rebounds or not, Chicago appears fine living with Swanson's offensive struggles, given his defensive impact.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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