The Chicago Cubs' signing of Dansby Swanson before the 2023 season was meant to signal a direction change for the organization. Rebuilding was no longer the focus for a Cubs' front office that tore down the 2016 World Series core at the 2021 MLB trade deadline, and Swanson's arrival was meant to signal the team was ready to contend. It took the third year of Swanson's contract for the Cubs to finally reach the playoffs.
While a majority of the Cubs' core is set to become a free agent after 2026, Swanson is just now entering the middle of his contract with the team.