AP sources: Cubs, SS Dansby Sw...

CHICAGO, Ill. (AP) — On Saturday, the Chicago Cubs and All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson agreed to a $177 million, seven-year contract, adding the All-Star shortstop to their rebuilding endeavor.

According to two people familiar with the discussions who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the contract was pending a physical, the pact contains a complete no-trade clause.

This season, Chicago went 74-88 and finished third in the NL Central. It was their second consecutive losing season, although they went 40-31 in their final 71 games.

Swanson's signing is the most significant of the Cubs' three major transactions since the season's end. On Wednesday, the organization sealed a $17.5 million, one-year contract with 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger, while right-hander Jameson Taillon agreed to a four-year, $68 million contract.

Nico Hoerner will most likely shift from shortstop to second base now that Swanson is in the lineup. With Bellinger in center, Chicago should be one of the top clubs in the league when it comes to up-the-middle defense.

The Cubs also strengthened their bullpen this week when they agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million contract with Brad Boxberger.

Swanson, 28, is coming off what was maybe his greatest big league season, batting. In 162 games, he batted 277 with 25 home runs and a career-high 96 RBIs. For the first time, the shortstop was named to the National League All-Star team and won his first Gold Glove.

While Atlanta was able to sign a handful of its young players to long-term contracts, it was unable to do so with Swanson. Swanson received a $19.65 million qualifying offer from the Braves after the team was ousted by Philadelphia in the NL Division Series. However, the Kennesaw, Georgia, native refused the offer.