With a depleted rotation threatening their postseason hopes, Chicago may sacrifice Matt Shaw to land a front-line starter with long-term control before the trade deadline.
The Chicago Cubs are going to add a starting pitcher at this year’s trade deadline.
It’s almost a must for them if they want to make a deep postseason run.
Cade Horton is out for the season, Justin Steele is out through the All-Star break after suffering a setback, Matthew Boyd has already been on the injured list twice this year, and Jameson Taillon has a 6.67 FIP across his nine starts.
It’s hard to imagine the Cubs not going after a top-of-the-line starting pitcher this summer. The injuries to the rotation have been felt, and Chicago’s current rotation won’t get the job done in the playoffs.
This might lead the Cubs to do all they can to land a top pitcher before the trade deadline, which could put someone like Matt Shaw on the trade block.
That’s exactly what MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported in his recent trade deadline updates. Nightengale basically said the Cubs could trade away Shaw as they search for a front-line starter.
It makes sense why Shaw might be available in trade talks. He lost his starting job at third base this past offseason after the front office signed Alex Bregman, and there are some question marks about where he might fit in moving forward.
Bregman is signed through the 2030 season, Dansby Swanson is signed through the 2029 season, and Nico Hoerner just recently signed a six-year extension. There is simply nowhere for Shaw to play in the infield for the next few years.
While there is a potential spot for him in the outfield with both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki in the last year of their deals, it’s unclear what the team plans to do at those corner outfield spots for the coming years.
The Cubs might be more willing to listen on Shaw than they were in the offseason, especially since the front office could be looking to go all-in at this year’s trade deadline.
However, Chicago won’t just trade Shaw to trade him. There’s a good chance the Cubs will only get rid of him if they are able to secure a pitcher with multiple years of control. That’s why the front office was fine with letting Owen Caissie go in early January.
Shaw is under team control through the 2032 season, and the Cubs probably don’t want to give up on the 24-year-old just yet. Getting rid of him for a one-year rental might not be in the cards for the North Siders.