Let’s assume a couple of things for the sake of a very specific discussion. First, let’s assume all the position players on the big league Cubs stays relatively healthy ahead of this year’s August 3 Trade Deadline. Second, let’s assume there is a controllable starting pitcher available in trade – one who could impact this year’s stretch run and many future seasons – that the Cubs would like to target.
On those assumptions, there’s a question that people are understandably going to be asking in the months ahead: would or should the Cubs trade Matt Shaw for such a pitcher?
It’s not hard to see why people will be asking the question.
For one thing, the Cubs will QUITE OBVIOUSLY have a need for an impact starting pitcher at the deadline, and there are only so many pieces with which an organization can part that are of a sufficient value to acquire such a pitcher.
More specific to this situation, though, the Cubs are an organization that has an infield replete with high-quality players under long-term control. They have a similarly versatile defender on the 40-man roster in Pedro Ramirez who could, in theory, be ready to stand in as Shaw sooner rather than later. They have a potential stud infield prospect in Jefferson Rojas who is just behind, and who similarly has nowhere to go just yet. And they have a player in Shaw whose highest and best value is probably at third base, where he made himself into a Gold Glove finalist (and the value of having that kind of defender with his bat at third is MUCH higher than having that same bat playing capable corner outfield).
Take all of that together, and it at least makes sense to be having this conversation, and for the Cubs to consider the situation in the months ahead.
That said, it’s not as if there aren’t very easy counters. Matt Shaw is ALREADY providing value to these Cubs, regardless of the other players around him. Having a top bench option like him available is hugely valuable, and that’s before you even consider that he provides long-term, impactful coverage at multiple spots in the event of a serious injury. Most contenders do not have a guy like Shaw available, and most wish they did. Do the Cubs really want to lose that in a competitive year?
Also, each of Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are scheduled to hit free agency after this season. No, you may not PREFER to have Shaw become a starting corner outfielder next year, but you may wind up being glad you have that option available when everything shakes out. Plus, it’s not as if we can ASSUME that either or both of Ramirez and Rojas will be as capable big league bats as Shaw has shown himself to be. We just don’t know yet.
Here’s how Sahadev Sharma framed this discussion when he was asked in a recent mailbag:
“But team president Jed Hoyer doesn’t love moving pieces from his big-league roster when the team is playing well. After years of searching for the right pieces, the Cubs finally have a strong bench. Would they want to disrupt the chemistry the team has and the depth manager Craig Counsell has deployed so deftly? If they get an offer they think helps now and in the future, maybe the answer is yes.”
That’s really the question: are you getting a trade return that improves your team THIS YEAR, and ALSO in the future? Maybe if it were the exact equivalent of Matt Shaw but in a pitcher’s body? Yeah, then I could see it. But that trade is probably pretty darn rare, and anything short of that feels like robbing Peter to pay Paul. Why risk doing harm to the 2026 team when it has already shown it can succeed with this setup, and when there are prospects available to trade for pitching?
So, in sum, the answer to the headline question is yes, these discussions are probably going to take place. Whether it actually manifests in an acceptable trade, however, is subject to just how perfect the Cubs could find a return fit where it obviously improves the team’s chances this year and in the future.
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