Dansby Swanson Becoming An Offensive Liability
Despite elite defense, Dansby Swanson's plummeting metrics and high-leverage struggles have turned the $177 million shortstop into a massive offensive liability for the struggling North Siders.
Video Transcript
What is up Cubs fans, and welcome back to Cubs Roundtable.
I'm Joey Polizzi, talking about all things Cubs.
And things continue to get worse for the Cubs after losing Monday's series opener to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Cubs have now lost nine straight games and are two and 13 in their last 15 games.
It feels like the Cubs are going in the wrong direction.
Hitting again was a problem on Monday, and someone like Dansby Swanson continues to struggle at the plate.
He is batting under 200 and batting under 160 in the month of May.
Swanson's batting 155, couple base, extra base hits, one home run.
Like, he has been slumping really hard in the month of May.
And even though he got the day off on Sunday, it did not seem to help him that much.
'Cause Swanson came up in a big spot early in Monday's game.
He had a chance, bases loaded, two outs, top of the second inning, strikes out swinging.
The s- pitch that he sw- swung was a ball, strike three called, a sweeper outside, way outside the zone.
Swanson swung and missed.
It's been a problem for Swanson this year.
He cannot hit in runners in scoring position.
He has been one of the worst hitters, players on this Cubs team with runners in scoring position this year, and has been one of the least clutch players here for the Cubs in the early going.
The defense is great.
No complaints from the defense from Swanson.
Continues to play good Gold Glove defense.
He has a three fielding run value with the bat, becoming a liability for the Cubs.
He can hit towards the bottom of the order, but his negative four batting run value on Baseball Savant ranks in the 25th percentile.
So let me know what you guys think about Swanson.
Just a few years ago, they paid him $177 million, and now it's becoming a liability in the lineup.
Let me know what you guys think about Swanson's start this season.
And as always, guys, go Cubs.
