As the offseason has unfolded I’ve been softening my stance on the Twins making a push for Dansby Swanson. As a shortstop and leader in the clubhouse, sometimes the best ability is availability. He has missed two games in the last three years which is WILD with how players are managed in Major League Baseball. 

Statistically, with Correa landing in potentially the worst hitter’s yard in baseball I would put money on Dansby having a better offensive season than Carlos Correa. Correa is the best defensive shortstop in baseball until proven otherwise. Dansby Swanson is an excellent defender, and it would be the slightest drop off in comparison to Correa. If you just look at the back of their baseball cards, over the last three years you can make the argument Swanson is the pick with more RBI and homers. Now, the OPS and career WAR tell us Correa is a better hitter and player overall, but the argument can be had.

When you factor in that Swanson could be snatched up for less than 20 million… now I’m listening. If you can bump down the years compared to the other shortstops, then boost the average annual value (AAV), 7 years at 145 million you get a proven shortstop leaning towards elite defense, 25-28 HR pop, .260-.275 average, championship pedigree, and potentially the best head of hair in baseball. 

He’s not Correa and he will not bring the electricity, but not many do. He will hurt the wallet much less but the gap between Correa and Swanson is much smaller than we think. What he lacks in flair and big-name draw he makes up for in being the most reliable shortstop in baseball over the last three years. If ownership is not willing to break out of its budget shell, then this contract and this player makes a ton of sense. Rodon does not want to play in Minnesota, but we can push AAV on him because of a deal like this with Swanson and make it competitive. I was totally averse to signing Swanson at the beginning of the off-season, but I think he makes a ton of sense for a team that can’t stay healthy and doesn’t want to bend the knee on AAV or years.