The Chicago Cubs are in the middle of a fascinating roster puzzle, and the recent addition of Alex Bregman has only added more pieces to the board. While much of the trade buzz has centered around Nico Hoerner - who's just a year away from free agency - the player most directly impacted by Bregman’s arrival is actually Matt Shaw. And that makes Shaw a name worth watching closely as the Cubs weigh their next move.
Shaw, a former top prospect with five years of team control remaining, finds himself in an awkward spot. Bregman’s presence at third base blocks his most natural path to everyday playing time.
And while Hoerner’s contract status makes him an obvious trade chip, moving him would be a significant blow to the Cubs’ immediate aspirations. Hoerner is a key piece of the lineup and the clubhouse - subtracting him now would be a step back for a team with postseason ambitions.
Shaw, on the other hand, is more of a depth loss in the short term. His potential is real, but the Cubs could survive his departure without seeing their World Series odds take a major hit.
That brings us to the Pittsburgh Pirates - a team that might just be the perfect trade partner.
The Pirates were reportedly in the mix for Eugenio Suárez before he signed with Cincinnati, and they're still looking for a solution at third base. That need became even more pronounced after they traded Ke’Bryan Hayes - yes, to the Reds as well - leaving a clear hole at the hot corner. While it’s always a bit risky to trade young talent within the division, the Cubs and Pirates have already shown a willingness to do business together, having engaged in talks as recently as last year’s trade deadline.
From a roster fit standpoint, it makes a lot of sense. Shaw didn’t exactly light the world on fire during his rookie season - slashing .226/.295/.394 with a 93 wRC+ across 126 games - but there were flashes of what made him a top prospect in the first place.
He hit a rough patch that led to a stint in Triple-A, but when he returned, he showed signs of putting it together. His August was especially promising: an .839 OPS and a 127 wRC+ that month offered a glimpse of his offensive ceiling.
And that’s the version of Shaw the Pirates might be willing to bet on.
Pittsburgh has been busy this offseason, bolstering their lineup with the additions of Ryan O’Hearn, Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, and Jhostynxon Garcia. They’ve also got the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Konnor Griffin, on the way.
There’s finally a sense of momentum building in that clubhouse - something that’s been missing for a long time. But third base remains a glaring question mark.
Jared Triolo is currently penciled in as the starter, though he's better suited for a super-utility role. Shaw, with his solid glove and offensive upside, could be the missing piece that ties the infield together.
For the Cubs, the appeal in dealing Shaw to Pittsburgh would be the chance to tap into the Pirates’ deep pool of young pitching. Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler are likely untouchable - and understandably so - but names like Braxton Ashcraft, Thomas Harrington, or Jared Jones could be in play.
Any of those arms would add real value to a Cubs staff that’s always looking for more upside and depth. Of course, it might take more than just Shaw to get a deal done, but Jed Hoyer has never shied away from packaging prospects to land the right return.
There’s also a case to be made for keeping Shaw in Chicago and using him in a utility role. That might even be the safest route, especially with Hoerner potentially walking in a year. But if the Cubs are serious about contending in 2026 and beyond, moving Shaw for a controllable, high-upside arm could be the kind of forward-thinking move that pays off in October.
Trading a young infielder to a division rival is never easy. But the Cubs and Pirates are aligned in a way that makes this more than just a hypothetical. If talks heat up, don’t be surprised - this one makes too much sense not to explore.