Should the Atlanta Braves Consider Extending Swanson Soon?

How much risk is too much – for either side?  The Braves have six years of control with their new shortstop.  Is it too soon to start thinking about how long to try and keep him beyond that?

The Atlanta Braves believe they have a keeper on their hands in Dansby Swanson.  They also have a pipeline of new players stretching all the way back to the Dominican Republic.  How bad do they want to hold onto their prized top draft theft?

We could find out within the next year or so.  If Swanson (who turns 23 in February) is the next incarnation of Chipper Jones or Freddie Freeman, then it might be time to consider treating him that way – with a sizeable contract extension.

Such things are difficult to map out this early in a career… and there are plenty of potholes along the road that history can provide lessons about as well.  So let’s look at some history – both Braves and baseball history – to see if we can figure the right time frame for such a move… and to see what it might look like.