Braves Open Extension Talks With Another All-Star Infielder

Here they go again. The Atlanta Braves have taken the first steps to try and lock up yet another member of their championship core. The team has reportedly opened extension talks with impending free agent shortstop Dansby Swanson.

The Atlanta Braves are reportedly looking to give All-Star SS Dansby Swanson a contract extension pic.twitter.com/DorG3XtVAp

— Major Sports Alerts (@sports___alerts) August 19, 2022

After winning the World Series last year, and then adding a couple of young stars to the lineup this season, the Atlanta Braves are hoping to ride far into the future with this very lineup. 

Swanson, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, is having a career year, making his first All-Star team, while hitting .292 with an .802 OPS. He has 16 home runs and 15 stolen bases with 76 run scored and 66 driven in.

Dansby Swanson on pace to finish the season with:
184 hits
51 walks
103 runs
35 doubles
22 homers
He's got a slash line of .292/.347/.455

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 19, 2022

Interestingly, however, Swanson is represented by the same agent that repped Freddie Freeman in those failed negotiations last offseason. 

MLB Insider Jon Heyman has pegged a possible landing price for a Swanson extension at about 6-years, $120M. That would be a bit of a hometown discount given by Swanson. 

GM Alex Anthopoulos, this year alone, has signed 1B Matt Olson, 3B Austin Riley, and CF Michael Harris II to long-term big-money deals. And with Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies already locked-up for the long haul, Swanson and, who knows, the latest rookie phenom Vaughn Grissom, could be next. 

Photos:  Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports, Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports