The Twins recently chatted with Dansby Swanson via video conference, reports Aaron Gleeman of the Athletic. They’re one of a handful of teams in discussion with the longtime Brave, who’s one of the three top shortstops remaining in free agency.
Minnesota is one of a handful of teams that has been involved in the market. Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports the Cubs, Cardinals and Red Sox have joined the Twins in showing significant interest this offseason (Twitter link). The incumbent Braves have also publicly maintained they’d like to keep Swanson.
There’s still a fair bit of uncertainty in Swanson’s market, as he’s not the primary target of either Minnesota or Boston. The Twins continue to prioritize Carlos Correa, although there’s also a chance they’re outbid by a bigger spender. The Dodgers are reportedly uninterested in Correa, but the Giants loom as a major threat after missing out on Aaron Judge. San Francisco still has plenty of spending capacity after Judge declined their offer in the $360MM range, and Correa has been reported as their favorite of the top-tier shortstops available. The Twins have been linked to both Bogaerts and now Swanson as potential fallback options in the event they lose the bidding for Correa.
Swanson’s surely a secondary option for the Red Sox as well. Boston chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has called Bogaerts their top priority on a number of occasions, and reports this morning suggested there was growing momentum in talks between the Sox and their longtime shortstop. So long as no deal is in place, the Red Sox are a viable fit for Swanson. If they do retain Bogaerts, he’d pair with Trevor Story in the middle infield and almost certainly rule out a Swanson pickup.
It looks unlikely the Cardinals will remain in the top of the shortstop market moving forward. St. Louis agreed to terms with top free agent backstop Willson Contreras this morning. That obviously doesn’t present a positional logjam for Swanson, but it adds a reported five-year, $87.5MM contract to the books. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggested earlier this week the Cards were unlikely to pursue the top shortstops unless they acquired their catcher more affordably via trade. A significant free agent deal for Contreras seems likely to leave the Cards to rely on Tommy Edman and some combination of Brendan Donovan and Nolan Gorman up the middle.
The Cubs are a stronger fit for Swanson. They’re not attempting to retain an in-house free agent shortstop as Minnesota and Boston are. Chicago has Nico Hoerner as a franchise building block, but he’s already expressed a willingness to kick over to second base to accommodate a big-ticket acquisition. The Cubs have already met with each of Correa, Bogaerts and Swanson and could make sense for any of that trio. Yet with the strong interest Correa and Bogaerts are seemingly drawing from other clubs, Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic wrote this afternoon the Cubs view Swanson as a more realistic target.
Swanson’s going to command a significant deal in his own right, of course. He won the NL Gold Glove award at shortstop in 2022, and he’s coming off arguably the best offensive season of his career. The 28-year-old (29 in February) hit .277/.329/.447 with 25 home runs while suiting up in all 162 games. He made the no-brainer decision to decline a qualifying offer, meaning any signing team would have to forfeit a draft choice to bring him in. MLBTR predicted Swanson to land a seven-year, $154MM deal at the opening of the offseason.
Not they are not!
Swanson’s price went up with the Bogaerts deal. I’d pass.
Whatever it was before that, it went up $50 million.
As a Braves fan, I want Swanson to stay, but not for the stupid contracts now. You want to stay Swanson, we ‘d love you to, You want to sign for 11 years,go some where else, Braves have youth…
The only youth the Braves have at SS (Grissom, Shewmake) will create a hole in the middle infield the size of the moon. Of the two, only Shewmake can field the position. Of the two, neither can hit ML pitching. The Braves are going to be significantly worse w/out Swanson’s 6.4 fWAR. Don’t want Swanson for 11 years either, but he won’t get that from another team. Disgusting that AA has decided to make the Braves worse next year—and they will be if Grissom’s allowed to butcher SS.
In other news the Braves continue to be all talk no action when it comes to being a “top 5 payroll” and not letting potential luxury tax implications stand in their way
It’s December 7th…plenty of time to sign and/or trade
I love when people say “there’s plenty of time to sign”… No, there isn’t. If the 3 short stops fall off the board tomorrow, you had a day and if there is no one willing to trade you their short stop, you just lost out to an idea.
You’re assuming I meant sign a shortstop instead of paying attention to what I actually said. I never mentioned a specific position.
Since the article is about short stops, I think that is exactly what you meant. If it isn’t about short stops, the same logic applies to the “plenty of time” comment. You do not have plenty of time. You either get the player you want or someone else does.
Well, you can keep making your stupid and incorrect assumptions. They have in house options for SS. They need to improve LF and can still upgrade the rotation and bullpen. So yes, there is plenty of time, all the way to the trade deadline actually.
I love the internet and message boards filled with internet tough guys talking all kinds of stuff and name calling behind.a keyboard. You’re an idiot.
Pot…. Meet kettle
When did I call names? And I would’ve said the same thing to your face so…you are still really struggling with how to read.
@shock It’s been reported that the Braves it’s either resign Swanson or trade/internal options at SS. They were and are not in the running for the other top SS
edit
They’re currently sitting in 3rd fwiw.
spotrac.com/mlb/payroll/
We’re at #2 behind the Mets when I checked earlier this afternoon.
Not to mention they’d like to retain Fried too. You can’t keep them all, but Atlanta sure is keeping most.
Meant were, not “we’re.” I neither play nor work for the Atlanta Braves. I’m nothing more than a simple fan.
Why are you apologizing, or even correcting yourself? Most organizations consider their fans “part of the team”. Heck, you invest your time talking about the team, your money on tickets and merchandise. Reasonable people know you’re not pretending to be a player, front office member, coach, or owner. People that try to make fun of fans that talk like they’re part of the team are total losers.
Most self aware comment, right here
I have interest in Scarlett Johannson.
Give her a call. Shoot your shot.
Agreed, you should. I heard her number is 867-5309.
Ah, the 80s. When area codes weren’t a thing.
Well, I suppose someone was going to make that joke
Those are Jenny’s digits Clip!
Jenny Jenny
@clip I actually had a friend with that number. He did not have a sister.
Well, was he hot at least?
“Don’t go in with a loaded gun”
-Woogie
Is that you, Doc?
Although I think Contreras could be a huge benefit to the Cards, I wonder if perhaps going after Swanson/Narvaez (or Vazquez) would’ve been a better use of their financial power, if they had the money to commit to both.
Swanson will be significantly more over time. I agree that would be a great infield with solid defense, but I think they feel catcher is key after having Molina for so long.
Yes indeed a catcher such as Narvaez or Vasquez would have been more fiscally prudent, why give so much money to a catcher who can only catch 50% of the time? For all the talk I hear about John Mozeliak (sp) being a sound money manager by not usually laying down for huge contracts, this Contreras deal seams way out of left field for the Cards. Been a weird off-season so far all around. Yikes.
Contreras has caught as many games the last few years as almost anybody. He also is very good at the physical part of catching . Finally, he only costs $17 a year for a top 5 catcher in the game.. How is that out of left field?
Contreras caught 72 games last season. The “fiscally prudent” Cardinals just spent 90million on a part-time catcher. I would go out on a limb and say that was the most egregious and ill-thought out contract handed out so far this winter, at least on general principle.
Rebuild with the Cubbies or stay home on a competitive team in the A? Let’s call up Heyward and see how he is doing. Cubs aren’t surpassing the Cardinals or Brewers anytime soon.
Brewers on the downslope, Cubs have the money to get good quickly
Heyward is sitting on 23 mil for doing nothing he can sign anywhere for like 5 mul. And give a half ass performance
Heyward should be brought up on charges, because that contract was criminal. Epstein too.
Paying $40m for Bellinger & Heyward, lol. Guess they value strikeouts different that most usually do.
@Logjammer: Like to bet that there’s not a team in MLB willing to pay Jason Heyward 5 mil. You can get good odds on him being lucky to get offered a minor league deal.
Cubs were already better than the Brewers during the second half of last season.
Games aren’t played on paper, but they’ve also done more to improve their team, while the Brewers are cutting payroll.
I’m guessing current team peformance is not the only factor in his decision. He just won a ring.
“Cubs aren’t surpassing the Cardinals or Brewers anytime soon.”
bravesnation nc;
Like your posts.
But I think if the Cubs get a solid SS and continue working with their pitchers, they can surpass the Cardinals this year. Even if Yadi works with him I think the Cardinals pitching heads south due in part to Contreras. I also think the Cardinals are not an especially strong team outside of Goldschmidt and Arenado.
Think the Brewers can also pass them….depends on what they do this offseason.
The Cubs aren’t close to the Cardinals at this point. If they add Swanson, they won’t be much closer.
The Cardinals’ big advantage is that their roster is basically two-deep at every position. They could trade several young bats for a big-time pitcher, and still be plenty deep in the field—while still figuring out how to make room for Jordan Walker.
I’m no Cardinals fan. This is just my observation of their depth.
Twins annual strategy is to tell sports writers that they are targeting a few specific players so they can say they tried when they don’t actually sign anyone. “Remember that report?! We tried!”
They are still recovering from that horrible Joe Mauer contract.
You take that back Darren. Joe Mauer is a saint!! Worth every penny and more!
I don’t believe Joe Mauer ever played for the Saints.
What are the Twins doing? They have no pitching.
No pitching? Gray, Maeda, Ryan, Mahle, Ober, Winder all say hi. They need an ace, yes, but there are plenty of quality arms- this is probably the best Twins rotation since Johan departed.
They need a bullpen. They insist on pulling starters after 4 innings. Can’t do that without a loaded pen
Give starters a longer leash. Signing a SS doesn’t preclude them from getting bullpen arms.
I agree. The short leash approach also doesn’t work. There were SIX teams this year who failed to have any starting pitchers have enough innings to qualify for ERA title.
All 6 teams are picking in the top 8 picks.
phantomofdb;
Did not know that.
Interesting.
Thanks!
A lot of that short starting was due to having the desiccated remains of Archer and Bundy taking up space in the rotation. Even if everyone stayed healthy that was a formula for an exhausted pen. One of them maybe, but two guys who are always in the showers by the fifth is not sustainable. But the reality was that everyone got hurt and there was a cavalcade of unready rookies and waiver wire trash trying to make it to 1400 innings in 2022. Hopefully next year the guys are healthy enough to not need 14 starters, and that the starters they have are good enough to earn a shot at the sixth or seventh inning every night..
Bullpen was blowing saves and otherwise underachieving even before they became exhausted. Pagan and Duffey in particular, two pieces expected to throw high leverage innings at the back end of games, were disappointing. I’ll be curious to see what the plan is for Maeda next year.
Agree. A couple mid level bats would help too but what they really need most of all is Buxton somehow staying healthy.
Saving grace for them is that division.
Flex Seal, Jahrell Cotton, made my season this year along with Nick Gordon. It was so much fun seeing how many innings Flex pitched and how many positions Gordon played every night
no championships in those years either… not enough pitching… competing is for losers… winning is what champions shoot for..
They’re pretty deep with young starters. Could use a real ace. A great bullpen is the best way to win imo so Dansby and a couple difference makers to pair with Lopez and Duran would be a nice offseason
Correa to the Giants, and Bogaerts to the Cubbies, are locks. Swanson to the Pads.
Bogaerts to the cubs? I don’t think so. Hopefully with things heating up again in Boston, he’ll remain with the Rsox.
Swanson would be the next version of wil Myers or hosmer in SD at a price greater than both them combined. Still though – pads might do it and if so- bet they never look back
This aged like milk left in the sun bro.
I flipped Bogaerts and Swanson it appears…………
Wonder if the Dodgers are finally going to get Swanson seems more reasonable contract wise then 11 year $300 mil.
Correa will get more than Turner’s 300 million. I think Swanson will get 175 or more. Why do the Padres need a shortstop when you have a star like Tatis? Sign Soto or Ohtani next off season. I thought Cubs were rebuilding.
Farhan needs to stop licking his Judge wounds and get Correa.
…and the Twins heard his contract demands and said “nice talking to you.”
Maybe. Maybe not. Unless you were there, you just don’t know. I have to wonder.
Maybe. Joe Pohlad is the new lead owner, and he believes in contracts over 48 months in length. (His uncle Jim was notorious for not signing anything longer than his arm.) I think this time they’ll write a big check for SS, Either $300m/10 for Correa or something smaller but still incomprehensibly large in Twins history for Swanson. I don’t see them taking Bogaerts away from BOS.
Oh, he still my beating .
I like Correa for the Cubs.
Doubt he goes to the Giants where he’ll be in a trough division and will be the only above average position player. If he can get near the same money elsewhere I think he’ll go there.
He’s obviously aware of the Twins situation, but they look like they’ve hit a wall. The Cubs showed progress in 2022. They have some very good young position players that have room to grow. Winning baseball is built on defense and pitching. Not only do the Cubs have some very strong defenders, they were smart enough to let Willson Contreras walk. The man signs a 7-10 year contract, he wants to know that the team he’ll be with has room to grow.
Correa is not just a great player, he has one of the highest Baseball IQ’s in MLB.
Dansby would be a fine option for either the Twins or Cubs. But…
Bogaerts clearly want to stay with the Red Sox.
I am guessing this is them giving up on trying to re-sign Correa.
Twins interested in…. We’ve Been hearing that since Phobe Cates was the hottest thing in a Bikini..
Just remember to lock the door to the bathroom. She doesn’t knock!
The Brewers have traded 2 of their 4 best hitters and all the Cubs of have done is pay 17.5 mil for someone who might be permanently broken. On what planet are either them scoring enough runs to pass the Cards? 2/3 of both lineups are not good as it stands right now. Good luck with that
This was supposed to be a reply to samuel
Cubs were a winning team in the 2nd half last season. Granted, Morel’s bat exceeded expectations, but so did Pujols 2nd-half as well. Everything with the Cards depends on what they’re gonna get out of Goldschmidt, Arenado, Wainwright & Contreras. All three teams have rode a razors edge for years hoping all things come together simultaneously in order to go on a long drive with a mediocre team, ala the 2021 Braves. That’s a crapshoot. Next year could be the same. It also could see the Cubs be #1, Brewers #2 & Cards #3 all neck & neck. We don’t know. If the Cubs get Correa and one additional bat from either FA or the minors, they’re virtually even. The Brewers are the team that have done virtually nothing despite a 2nd half collapse last year, and one of the dumbest suicide trades in history sending Josh Hader to the NLCS berth Padres in the middle of a playoff drive.
My guy, you serious right now?
At least the Twins had interest until the agent for Dansby Swanson discussed contract terms.
Swanson himself had interest until he checked on the weather in Minnesota from October through April and remembered the Twins play in an outdoor stadium.
Still think Swanson signs with CHC.
I think we can rule out the Cards at this point as they’ve already spent their budget for the season signing Contreras
Swanson is in the 12 to 20 range when it comes to SS. Twins would better off waiting for Lewis in June and spending money on pitching.
$300 million is plus two years of Twins annual salary. They have Farmer and Polanco who can play SS. Better to invest in a journeyman OF and the next starting pitcher who can get 18 outs.
Polanco doesn’t play SS anymore and Farmer is a utility at best
I’d rather see the Twins go for Swanson over Correa. I know that opinion gets a lot of hate from fans, but I’d prefer to see the team not be financially hamstrung by an albatross contract with a decade-long commitment when they could sign Swanson for significantly less and still get top-tier performance.
I’m not a Cubs fan, but if I was I’d save my $300M for Rafael Devers next year. I think Nico Hoerner has the potential to be a top tier SS and this club is still a year away from the prospects and other young players having an impact.
Austin Martin and Edouard Julien are MLB ready. They will both start at AAA next year unless the Twins cannot retain Correa. Then one of them could be called up if no other free agent infielder is added.
If Correa can be re-signed…I think it’s time to see what the Twins could get in trade for Polanco. He is a quality bat, near his peak in offensive ability, and could bring back a controllable arm or two. The Twins have multiple in-house options at 2B that would be comparable to the production Polanco provides. (Nick Gordon being the most obvious choice) Polanco has been great for the Twins, but a trade seems to be the best way to maximize his value to the club in this current situation.
Personally, I’d love to see Julien make his MLB debut next season. His on-base abilities are better than most of the hitters on the MLB roster. And his power would fit anywhere in the line-up. He makes Polanco more expendable.
Honestly, I would rather see the Minnesota Twins stick with inhouse option Nick Gordon for 2023, and possible future player Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee or Austin Martin than to sign a long term deal with mediocre Dansby Swanson. The contract of Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts probably put the rational for resigning Carlos Correa out of reach for the Twins.. Nick Gordon is no bigger drop-off at shortstop from Correa than Swanson. If Correa is out of reach, why waste the money on Swanson when you have Gordon and three strong prospect behind him?