This weekend at the Cubs Convention, everyone said all the right things about the Chicago Cubs’ theoretical infield overload, with Alex Bregman coming in to be the starting third baseman, Nico Hoerner holding down second base, and Matt Shaw moving into a super-utility role. That’s the approach that makes for the best 2026 roster, and it’s the way things are expected to go as we sit here today.
That said, we know about the rumors that have swirled for a long time, and we discussed the reality of what options the Cubs now have after bringing in Bregman. Much of it has centered on Hoerner, who is a free agent after this season, but plenty of speculation notes that Shaw could theoretically be as, or more, available.
As Sahadev Sharma writes today at The Athletic, the price tag on Hoerner would likely be so enormous that no other team out there is going to value him as highly as do the Cubs. But Shaw, who might command an even higher price than Hoerner given the six years of team control, could be more realistically attainable for other teams. Sharma talks up Shaw’s potential value and upside, while pointing out that the Cubs could easily use him very effectively this season as a super-sub.
“But would the Cubs trade Shaw? It’s a fair question and one the front office has to weigh. Like with Hoerner, they’ll listen ….
The Cubs will be happy to keep Shaw and use him as oft-played depth, but if they were to move him, it would cost a lot. There are arguments to be made for either scenario. But it feels like the Cubs are working from a position of strength and will do their best to take advantage of that, whatever route they choose.”
Ultimately, it’s the right approach for the Cubs here. You’re happy to listen if teams want to bowl you over for Matt Shaw, but he’s pre-arbitration, he’s versatile, he’s a great base-runner, he’s ascendent with the bat, and, if worse comes to worse, he can still be optioned to the minors. His best value to the 2026 team right now is as a utility man, but even if that weren’t going to work out in the short-term, that doesn’t mean the Cubs HAVE TO trade him right now. The return would still have to justify it.
Interestingly, Sharma wasn’t the only person discussing the possibility of a Matt Shaw trade today.
Within the specific context of the Boston Red Sox’s need at second base, Jon Morosi included not only Hoerner in that consideration (who has been speculated to the Red Sox before), but also Shaw:
With Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette off the board, will the Red Sox trade for a bat?@jonmorosi connects Boston to Brendan Donovan, Nico Hoerner, Matt Shaw and Isaac Paredes as potential trade candidates.#MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/nURQNTvbtp
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 19, 2026It is a thin and speculative mention, to be sure, complete with the note on Shaw hailing from Massachusetts. The Cubs don’t have to make a move here, so it doesn’t necessarily matter whether these guys are good fits for the Red Sox.
But, hey, if the Red Sox are open to discussing some of their controllable young starting pitchers like Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, then you have to listen. And, since the fit is potentially intriguing in that respect (as it could be with other clubs who need an infielder), we at least have to mention it when reporters like Sharma and Morosi mention Shaw as a possible trade candidate.
Interestingly, Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Craig Breslow was still an exec in the Cubs’ front office for the 2023 MLB Draft, when the Cubs took Matt Shaw in the first round, one spot ahead of the Boston Red Sox.
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