EXCLUSIVE: Atlanta Braves insider Chris Dimino reveals why Dansby Swanson did not return to the team after All-Star season

Dansby Swanson was locked in as the Atlanta Braves' starting shortstop since 2017. Known as a solid defensive player, the 28-year-old was beginning to show his stuff as an offensive threat over the last two seasons.

Swanson came into his own as an all-around threat in 2022, logging career bests in batting average (.277), RBIs (96) and stolen bases (18) to go with 25 home runs – which were just two fewer than his career high of 27 homers in 2021. He also won his first Gold Glove and made his inaugural All-Star Game appearance.

And then, just like that – he was gone. Swanson signed a seven-year, $177 million contract with the Chicago Cubs on Dec. 21, leaving the Atlanta Braves without a player that just seemed to be coming into his prime.

So what happened? Atlanta Braves insider Chris Dimino talked about why Swanson left and who the team turns to now in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda:

"I will tell you this: The money was so far off. The Freddy (Freeman) thing will be here because he said how could $5 million, $10 million separated. Why is he crying when that's his decision? With Dansby, the money was so different. Like ,we're talking about $50 million difference."

Reports from those covering the Atlanta Braves point to infielder Vaughn Grissom, who played 41 games at second base as a rookie last season, as Dansby Swanson's heir apparent. However, Dimino has his hesitations.

"Vaughn Grissom, I think, is the guy that's penciled in, but it's not," Dimino said. "It's not named you know. I think everybody learns during the pandemic: Put your pens down, start writing everything in pencil, because you're gonna need an eraser at the end. And that's life, and that's sports, and that's life. I personally don't think he's the answer, every day."

Grissom appeared at shortstop for the Braves twice last year. While he has played shortstop in the minor leagues, his fielding percentage is considerably lower at that position than it is manning second base (.976 at 2B, .945 at SS). Dimino noted that the Atlanta Braves' "infield guru," Ron Washington, could help smooth out Grissom's rough edges.

President Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs presents a jersey to Dansby Swanson during his introductory news conference.

Atlanta Braves losing a good one in Dansby Swanson

Dimino spoke highly of the Dansby Swanson, noting his inquisitive nature as one of the things that makes him a great player.

"Dansby is a self-empowerment guy," Dimino said. "He's a really interesting young guy who reads a lot in the self-help. He went up to see (former Duke basketball coach) Mike Krzyzewski a number of times ... loves Duke basketball, loves basketball, maybe more than baseball, but he's he's very interested in the process of things."