MLB free agency began with a quartet of shortstops that were considered to be grouped together, and after Wednesday night's Padres signing of Xander Bogaerts, only two of them (Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson) remain.
It has been largely agreed that, of the for, most MLB insiders considered Bogaerts to be ranked 3rd and Dansby Swanson ranked 4th, and now that Bogaerts has agreed to his deal (11 years and $280 Million) John and Hugh discuss if the market has now been set for Dansby Swanson.
While it seems unlikely that the 28-year old (will be 29 when 2023 MLB season begins) shortstop from Kennesaw will be able to acquire an 11-year deal similar to Turner and Bogaerts unless a team decided to massively over-extend themselves, but he could end up signing for something close to the average value of those deals, especially Bogaerts' who will be making $25.45 Million per season.
Will the Braves be able to ink Swanson for 6 years and $145 Million or 7 years and $170 Million (average of just over $24 Million) or will Dansby hold off and require a longer deal?
Could Dansby actually end up with MORE than $25 Million per season if he does agree to sign a shorter contract? Will another team offer him a 10 or 11 year deal that the Braves refuse to compete with?
With the shortstop market now seemingly set, expect the conversation between Dansby Swanson and the Atlanta Braves and other potential suitors to move quickly.