The Chicago Cubs started this season with Matt Shaw as their everyday third baseman, but the prospect was demoted to Triple-A Iowa in mid-April after posting a poor .172/.294/.241 slash line in 18 games (68 plate appearances).
Since Shaw’s demotion, the Cubs have had a revolving door of players take their turn at third base, including Jon Berti, Vidal Brujan, and Gage Workman, who is now with the Chicago White Sox after being designated for assignment and traded this past Saturday.
Advertisement
Even 40-year-old Justin Turner has made a start at third base for the Cubs.
On Thursday, Marquee Sports Network baseball analyst Bruce Levine joined 670 The Score, a Chicago-based radio station, to discuss the Cubs’ plans with Shaw and the club’s potential of acquiring a third baseman this season.
“The plan that we hear from the Cubs is, ‘We’re waiting for Matt Shaw.’ I don’t believe that’s really the mantra going on in the hallways at Clark and Addison,” Levine said. “I believe that they’re looking for a practical solution to third base, if indeed, Shaw is not ready to play this year.”
Levine added that the Cubs may have spoken internally about adding a third baseman during the summer and could be waiting for Shaw’s game to develop even more.
Chicago Cubs second base Matt Shaw (6) celebrates after hitting a two run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning at Chase Field.Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
“I mean, he [Shaw] looks like a guy that has a lot of talent, that eventually is going to hit, but because you have a need for it doesn’t necessarily make him ready to help you win right now,” Levine added.
Advertisement
If the Cubs decide to go outside the organization to find a viable solution at third base, the most prominent names rumored to be available are St. Louis Cardinals future Hall of Famer Nolan Arenado and Philadelphia Phillies slugger Alec Bohm.
Both Arenado and Bohm would likely cost a significant amount to acquire, and both clubs would probably prefer not to trade their players to a contending National League team like the Cubs.
Related: Craig Counsell Reveals Timeline on Cubs Top Prospect to Make Debut