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The Chicago Cubs still like Matt Shaw, and they believe he can be a part of their future.
They just might end up having too big a need elsewhere to avoid trading Shaw this season.
Injuries have crushed the Cubs' starting pitching, and their bullpen, too. Shaw, although he has a great arm, isn't going to magically turn into an MLB pitcher.
But in a trade, Shaw might be able to solve that problem.
"Chicago likes Shaw in his current versatile role, but if the teams wants to make a blockbuster pitching addition, expect teams to ask about his availability," MLB.com's Jordan Bastian wrote as part of a new article on Sunday.
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Shaw was the Cubs' Opening Day third baseman in 2025, but he's since followed a bit of a bumpy path toward his current role, which isn't much of a role at all.
"With third baseman Alex Bregman signed to a long-term deal and second baseman Nico Hoerner locked in on an extension, Shaw is currently without a home on the diamond," Bastian writes. "He has served as a fill-in all over the infield and taken on outfield this year, too. The 24-year-old could possibly find a place as a corner outfielder with the Cubs after 2026, but other teams might see him as a great fit on the infield now."
Shaw's glove has never been in question. The Cubs, or another team, would simply need to see him start to turn that hand-eye coordination into more consistent production at the plate, too.
There's still lots of time for Shaw to reach his full potential. It just might be tough for the Cubs to keep him around long enough to see that come to fruition in Chicago.
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