Cubs predicted to trade .690 OPS infielder to AL Central team for Nico Hoerner reason

Nico Hoerner's six-year extension with the Chicago Cubs is great news for the NL Central organization, but not so great news for one of his teammates. 

With Hoerner at second base and Alex Bregman at third, Matt Shaw may be running out of opportunities. 

"With Hoerner locked up, the Cubs have their infield for the foreseeable future, with Hoerner, first baseman Michael Busch, shortstop Dansby Swanson, and third baseman Alex Bregman all under team control for at least the next four years," FanSided's Chris Landers wrote Thursday.

"One name I didn't mention in that list? 24-year-old Matt Shaw, who's gone from consensus top-50 prospect and third baseman of the future in Chicago to on the outs in the span of 12 months." 

Shaw made his MLB debut in 2025, hitting .226/.295/.394 with 13 home runs, 17 stolen bases, and a .690 OPS. 

AL Central club is predicted to inquire about Shaw 

The Kansas City Royals are in a weird situation at second base, despite having the rest of their infield set for the foreseeable future. 

"The left side of the infield is set in Kansas City, between shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and third baseman Maikel Garcia. But second base is a huge question mark, with Jonathan India a free agent at season's end and no real depth behind him," Landers wrote.

Landers' trade projection requires Shaw to play second base full-time even though his primary position is at third. 

"Shaw very much fits the mold as a contact-oriented speedster, and he should have little problem switching positions. Plus, his ability to pivot to the outfield can only be an added bonus for a Royals team that got league-worst offensive production from those three spots last season. Kansas City isn't going to break the bank in free agency, and Shaw would be an excellent gamble." 

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