Matt Shaw Prepping for Utility Role, Remains Realistic Trade Candidate

Alex Bregman joining the Cubs meant a lot for the team’s outlook in 2025 and beyond, but there are still several moving parts to figure out. For Matt Shaw, who served as the Cubs’ primary third baseman upon re-establishing himself last season, the deal brought about a lot of uncertainty. The 24-year-old suddenly lost his regular spots in both the field and the lineup, and will now need to carve out a utility role that could include time in the outfield.

“My wife got a notification on her phone, and she let me know — we were watching TV,” Shaw told reporters at Cubs Convention when asked about the Bregman deal and how it will impact his role. “Of course, you’re kinda looking at it like, ‘Oh man, where am I gonna play?’ And you get a little anxious about those things because the team knows me good enough at this point to know I just wanna be prepared when the season comes around.

“So, of course, I immediately have questions like, ‘Am I gonna go here, am I gonna go there?’ And they’ve been transparent with me, just kinda helping me to understand the role, moving to different positions, giving guys an off day here and there. And I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve played a lot of outfield in my life, so I’ll play some outfield; probably back up at a couple different positions in the infield.”

Shaw has caught some flak for these comments, but they feel like a reasonable response to the situation, especially given his age. His description is that of a super-utility role, and Jed Hoyer brought up former Cubs cornerstones like Javier Báez and Kris Bryant when talking about their expectations for this season. CI likewise referenced both players when looking at how Craig Counsell can find at-bats for Shaw even with so many established veterans on the roster.

A more recent example from another team is Enrique Hernández, who played five positions for the Dodgers in 2025 as they went on to win their second straight World Series. He played six different positions the previous season. Those numbers do not include his frequent pitching appearances, which are more of a fun and interesting statistic than something that can be used to evaluate his long-term value to a team.

At the University of Maryland, Shaw played both shortstop and second base. He transitioned to third base during his time in the Cubs’ farm system, and obviously in Chicago, but that middle infield ability could be important in 2026. It also becomes a factor in potential trade talks, as versatility is always intriguing to interested teams.

Keeping Shaw on the roster makes the most sense when it comes to ensuring the Cubs have strong depth across multiple spots. He can provide a cushion in the event of injuries while also allowing starters to take days off. However, Bregman’s presence means keeping Shaw is not as clear-cut as it was a week ago.

Nico Hoerner’s name has come up in trade rumors all offseason, but Shaw has entered those conversations more recently. He is not set to become a free agent until after the 2031 season, making him a cheap, controllable player who could serve as a cornerstone of a team’s offense for years to come.

The Cubs do not necessarily need a player like that, as they have indicated a willingness to go over the luxury tax in order to compete in 2026. Hoyer finds himself in an interesting position with his infield, as he is under no pressure to make a move one way or the other. Teams have inquired about Shaw, and the Cubs hold most of the leverage in any trade discussions.

If Shaw is dealt before the season begins, the return will likely focus on pitching. Some teams could offer major league-ready arms, while others might prefer to send top prospects to Chicago. Because the Cubs have several starting pitchers on expiring contracts, revamping the rotation is a clear priority moving forward.

One team that stands out as a strong fit for Shaw is the Red Sox, whose lineup feels incomplete after missing out on Bregman. They pivoted to signing Ranger Suárez, which likely consumed a large portion of their offseason budget. If Craig Breslow wants to improve his offense while remaining cost-conscious, Shaw would be a strong fit. Boston has plenty of young pitching to offer, though young arms like Payton Tolle and Connelly Early may not align with Shaw’s value in a deal like this.

The Red Sox are just one of several teams that should have interest in Shaw, as a young infielder with positional versatility is hard to find. With spring training workouts less than a month away and several big deals coming together recently, this is the time you would expect most transactions get done. While trading Shaw is far from a guarantee, there is enough smoke to suggest it is a legitimate possibility.