When the Chicago Cubs signed Dansby Swanson to a seven-year deal ahead of the 2023 season, they weren’t just adding a Gold Glove shortstop-they were signaling the end of their rebuild and the start of a new chapter. Swanson brought leadership, postseason experience, and elite defense to a young clubhouse looking to turn the corner. But as much as the Cubs valued his glove and intangibles, the real question was always going to be his bat.

Swanson entered free agency alongside big names like Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, and Xander Bogaerts-players with more robust offensive resumes. Swanson, by contrast, was known more for his glove than his bat, despite a couple of solid seasons at the plate in Atlanta. The Cubs were betting that his offensive ceiling hadn’t yet been reached.

In his first year in Chicago, Swanson held his ground. He posted a 105 wRC+ with 22 homers-solid, if not spectacular.

Not quite All-Star level, but respectable production from a shortstop who was anchoring the infield defensively. The concern, though, is that instead of building on that foundation, Swanson’s offensive numbers have taken a step back in the seasons since.

Last year, the dip in production became hard to ignore. Manager Craig Counsell eventually moved Swanson down in the batting order, a move that reflected more than just a temporary slump.

The issue wasn’t just about overall numbers-it was situational. With runners in scoring position, Swanson posted a wRC+ of 74, a sharp contrast from the 113 mark he put up when the bases were empty.

That’s not just a cold streak-that’s a trend, and a troubling one for a middle-of-the-order bat.

Swanson didn’t shy away from the topic when speaking to reporters at Cubs spring training on Monday, during the team’s first mandatory full-squad workout. He addressed his offensive struggles head-on.

“I feel like I haven’t been what I’ve wanted to be over the last few years,” Swanson said. “The best thing I could do was intentionally change things, whether that was how I was training or some of the things in the cage. Pushing myself to get better.”

That kind of self-awareness is important, especially for a veteran who’s expected to be a cornerstone of the team. But recognition is only the first step-the real challenge is turning that into results.

One of the clearest indicators of Swanson’s regression is in his plate discipline. His walk rate dropped to 7.3%, the lowest of his Cubs tenure, while his strikeout rate climbed to 26%, the highest since arriving in Chicago.

That’s not a great combo for a player trying to steady the ship offensively. Swanson doesn’t need to be a .300 hitter with 30 bombs, but he does need to get on base more consistently and make pitchers work.

Improving his swing decisions will be key. And this spring, he might have the ideal teammate to help in that department.

Alex Bregman, one of the most disciplined hitters in the game, is now in the Cubs’ clubhouse. Bregman’s ability to control the zone and consistently make quality swing choices is elite.

If Swanson is serious about making changes, having someone like Bregman around could be a game-changer-not just as a teammate, but as a sounding board.

The Cubs don’t need Swanson to be the offensive engine of the team. They need him to be steady, productive, and situationally reliable.

With his glove, leadership, and work ethic, he’s already giving them plenty. But if he can find a way to reverse the offensive slide, even modestly, it could be the difference between a good Cubs team and a great one.