MESA, Ariz. — Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson and manager Craig Counsell swapped thoughts about pickoffs at second base during the first full-squad workout Monday. When a player has instincts such as Swanson’s, Counsell wants to give him ownership over those types of plays.
‘‘Dansby has a pedigree that his opinions count and they matter and they’re good,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘And he also will have a back-and-forth with you. And that just makes you better, too.’’
Swanson is entering his second season with the Cubs. He made his mark in the first year of a seven-year, $177 million contract, but he came into camp this year familiar with his teammates, the coaching staff, Wrigley Field and the day-game-heavy schedule.
‘‘I feel like I learned a lot about myself,’’ Swanson said of his first season in Cubbie blue. ‘‘A lot of life things that happened that year, too. It was definitely challenging in so many ways. But the only way to look at it is with a grateful heart. And that’s what we’ve done. And it will make us better moving forward.’’
A self-proclaimed homebody, Swanson was leaving his hometown Braves after six years in the organization. In April, wife Mallory — a star for the U.S. women’s national soccer team and the Red Stars, tore the patella tendon in her left knee. In July, Swanson was sidelined for more than two weeks with a bruised heel after missing only one game in the previous three seasons combined.
Swanson returned just in time to help the Cubs climb into playoff contention before the trade deadline. But the team ultimately fell a game short of a postseason berth.
‘‘This year, being able to know faces, know names, being able to have relationships with guys and being able to laugh with one another, eat food with one another and really just kind of build upon something that we didn’t have last year,’’ he said of the comfort level he has in camp this year.
At the Cubs Convention last month, Swanson lobbied for the front office to re-sign one of those teammates he got to know last season, Cody Bellinger. And Swanson reiterated Monday that, ‘‘Everybody loves Belli.’’ But now that spring training has begun, he has shifted his focus a bit.
‘‘Pitching depth is huge for us this year,’’ he said. ‘‘I feel like we’ve really improved in that realm. I think so many times we forget that guys can get better. We’re in the business for us to continue to get better. And we’ve got a lot of guys that have great work ethics and are really good at self-reflecting and aware of what they need to get better at.’’
In his self-evaluation, Swanson said he sees areas in which he thinks he fell short last season, despite winning a Gold Glove and earning an All-Star selection.
‘‘I fought about as hard as I fought in a long time,’’ he said. ‘‘And I kind of see that as personal success, in a certain way,
because it’s going to help shape me for things ahead.’’
Looking ahead to this season, Swanson even might be loosening up on his determination to play in all 162 regular-season games.
‘‘As [Counsell and I] continue to get familiar with one another, those conversations will be had,’’ Swanson said. ‘‘And just build that trust with one another. If there’s something he sees and he needs or wants to give me a day off, then I’ve got to trust that, not fight my way through the brick wall, like I’ve done plenty of times before. But a lot of that just comes with experience and time together.’’
On principle, Counsell isn’t against Swanson playing every day. But he also knows there are situations in a season that might call for a rest day.
‘‘I know Dansby likes to play,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘And that’s a great place to start from is how I see it. And it’s really hard to make decisions on that right now. Dansby’s the guy we want at shortstop. So let the season tell us that, and we know he’s capable of it.’’
In talking with Counsell, Swanson has come to the realization he’s the ‘‘old guy’’ in the clubhouse now. He celebrated his 30th birthday last week.
‘‘I don’t have any more grays than I did before that,’’ he said, touching his hair. ‘‘My wife will point them out every so often. I’ve heard your 30s are your best, so that’s what I’m going to embrace.’’
