Third base isn’t the biggest problem in the world for the Cubs. Matt Shaw is fine, but not much more than that. He showed massive power in the minor leagues, but hasn’t really locked in consistently against major league pitching. On the bright side, he’s a close-to-elite third baseman defensively, seemingly out of nowhere. Realistically, if the Cubs wanted to move on, the new replacement would likely be slightly worse at third. I wouldn’t imagine the Cubs trading for a new player at the hot-corner, so it’s off to the free agent market. Headlined by Alex Bregman, 2026’s infielders leave just a little to be desired. Bregman is good, but if he’s 32 and looking for a five or six year contract worth a ~$30M AAV, the Cubs simply aren’t the team to give it to him. Where else?
Blue Jays all-star and future Dove shampoo spokesman, Bo Bichette, has been locked at shortstop his entire MLB career. Despite what message a long-time shortstop usually conveys, Bo has never exactly been a great defender at the position. Shifting season-to-season from a slightly below average shortstop to undeniably the worst, Bichette’s future at the position has raised some questions about where he’ll end up at later in his career. We saw this answered head-on in Game 1 of the 2025 World Series, where Bichette made his career debut at second base. A move to third base is very much possible long-term, too, with Jim Bowden of The Athletic reporting that most teams see his future lying there. In that same article about Bichette and other free agents for the 2026 season, Bowden listed the Cubs among the best matches for Bo.
Switching from Matt Shaw’s gold-glove-nominee caliber third base defense to an uncertain newcomer can be scary, but the value Bichette’s bat provides is immensely valuable. Not only did he slug nearly .500 in 2025, but he would’ve been MLB’s batting leader at .311 if Aaron Judge never picked up a bat. With a ridiculous 44 doubles in 139 games, Bo knows how to hit. Aside from an injury riddled half-season in 2024, Bo has consistently batted around .300 with 20-30 homers since his first full season in 2021. With his BaseballSavant page looking like Nico Hoerner with power, he is one exciting young player for a team to add.
So what do we do with Shaw then? Shop him around as the main piece in a package for a good starting pitcher? Yes, actually. That’s exactly what we should do. MacKenzie Gore has been very inconsistent with some real flashes of greatness that the pitching lab could feast on. Let’s see if Shaw could headline a package instead of the rumored Cade Horton-headlining offer the Nationals supposedly sent Jed last deadline. Whether it’s for Gore or Joe Ryan, as long as we get a top-of-rotation starter, I would be absolutely fine with giving up Shaw and a Top 100 guy like Rojas or Wiggins.
Moving onto free agency, we have to make sure his high demands fit into the Cubs’ offseason plans and payroll. What would I do? Let go of Imanaga’s option and get Michael King plus Bichette in free agency along with some bullpen arms. Trust me, I like Imanaga’s personality as much as the next guy who bought his jersey in November 2024, but his tendency to give up high exit velocity nukes concerns me. Michael King is an easy deal comparable to a little more than what we gave Taillon a few years ago. Maybe 4 years for $85 million, or basically the same AAV we would give Imanaga if we opted in. Speaking of that, what would Bo Bichette get? Well, I imagine it would be very similar to what we gave Dansby Swanson. Bo is one year younger than Swanson was when he signed, so I would envision a deal to look like 8 years for $210 million. This would make it the biggest contract the Cubs have ever given out, but it’s about time. Also a little sad.
4 comments
Doubt it
TLDR?
Shaw was a rookie and will hopefully progress.
Should we get rid of the guy that left his team high and dry, right in the middle of a postseason chase – causing them to lose two crucial games – all so he could attend a political rally to mourn a propagandist piece of shit podcaster? Yes, yes we should.
Fully agree on Bo. I think he is a significantly better target than Bregman. Both are going to demand 6+ year deals so I would much rather pay the one still in his peak years than the one who is rapidly approaching the aging curve.
Disagree on King. I don’t think 4 for 85 gets it done probably more like 3 for 85 or 4 for 100/105. I am not confident enough in King’s ability to be better than Imanaga to not take the option and go for him instead.
In an ideal world I think the cubs would sign Bo and Cease but I have no faith in the ownership committing to two large deals. Realistically, I think they are much more likely to sign Cease than they are either Bo or Bregman.