Braves shouldn’t regret letting Dansby Swanson walk, either

Dansby Swanson doesn’t regret leaving the Atlanta Braves for the Chicago Cubs, and admitted as much at spring training. It’s worked out pretty well for Atlanta, too.

Sure, the Braves have a hole at shortstop, but Vaughn Grissom has played capably so far this spring and is in position to replace an All-Star at the position without missing a beat. What Grissom lacks defensively as compared to Swanson, he makes up for with his bat.

It’s important to take into account what Atlanta did with the expectation (turned reality) that they would lose Swanson to Chicago. Alex Anthopoulos pulled off a three-team trade, acquiring Sean Murphy from the Oakland Athletics. Murphy is one of if not the best catchers in baseball, and pairing him with Travis d’Arnaud almost seems unfair. d’Arnaud will double at DH when he is not behind the plate.

Those decisions aren’t made if Swanson stays. The Braves payroll is only so high, and Atlanta signed Murphy to a six-year extension shortly after trading for him.

Dansby Swanson doesn’t regret leaving the Braves

Swanson spoke of his decision to leave the Braves at Cubs spring training last week, making it painfully obvious that he has no regrets:

“I’ve believed that ever since Day 1,” said Swanson. “My wife and I prayed about it a lot. When that was answered, I haven’t regretted one ounce of it. I feel very convicted in being here. Chicago is where we felt led to be. I’ve learned to trust the big man’s plan more than my own. Every time I’ve had a big change in my life, it’s worked out for the better. Getting traded to Atlanta was an amazing thing for me. That’s how I met my wife. I just know that this is where we’re supposed to be.”

Swanson and Mallory Pugh, his wife, now live in the same sports city, as Pugh plays for the NWSL Chicago Red Stars.