After consecutive 83-79 seasons and missing out on the playoffs both times, the Cubs are beginning one of their most crucial winters in recent years. As the hot stove season kicks off in earnest, we analyze the Cubs depth chart at each position and how Jed Hoyer and the Cubs front office might address the team’s needs.

Next up: Shortstop

DEPTH CHART

1. Dansby Swanson
2. Nico Hoerner
3. Luis Vázquez
4. Matt Shaw
5. Miles Mastrobuoni

ANALYSIS

It was an up-and-down 2024 campaign for Swanson but he still turned in another very good season on the whole.

He led the Cubs in WAR (4.3) and finished as a Gold Glove finalist for the 3rd straight season.

Much of his value comes from that elite defense at the most important position on the field but in prior seasons, Swanson made more of an impact offensively.

He struggled to get going at the plate early in 2024 but finished with essentially league-average numbers (.242/.312/.390 slash line, .701 OPS, 98 OPS+) thanks to a second-half surge.

That second half was more in line with the offensive output we saw from Swanson in a 3-year span from 2021-23 when he posted a .761 OPS and averaged 25 homers and 88 RBI per season.

After missing just 1 game between 2020-22 with the Braves, Swanson has been hit with some minor injuries in Chicago and was forced out of action for 28 games over the last 2 years.

Behind Swanson, Hoerner stands as a quality option at shortstop on the depth chart. Hoerner has been a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman the last couple of seasons while also filling in when Swanson was injured or out of the lineup.

[MORE: Projecting the 2025 Cubs roster]

Hoerner underwent surgery on the flexor tendon in his throwing arm, so he should be in a better position to play shortstop in 2025 after the injury.

Vázquez and Shaw are solid, young in-house options, though both prospects can play other positions on the infield.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Cubs offense as a whole was too inconsistent in 2024 and Swanson was a big part of that. With more stability from Swanson at the plate in 2025, it would go a long way toward helping the team.

Manager Craig Counsell deployed Swanson out of the No. 2 spot in the batting order toward the end of the season and that’s a role he might fill again for part of 2025.

[WATCH: Exclusive interview with Pete Crow-Armstrong on offseason, Bellinger’s return to Cubs and more]

Swanson will turn 31 in February and enters Year 3 of his 7-year, $177 million deal with the Cubs.

He is solidified as the team’s shortstop for the next half-decade. The only question is what level of performance will he provide – the very good season he put up in 2024 or the star-level campaigns he posted in 2022-23 when he earned NL MVP votes?

BOTTOM LINE

This is the easiest position on the field for the Cubs – there is zero drama or question about who will be the starter.

State of the Cubs series
Catcher
First base
Second base
Third base
Shortstop
Left field
Center field
Right field
DH
Starting rotation
Bullpen