As the Chicago Cubs have been linked to free-agent third basemen this offseason, mainly Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suárez, the team has been determined to say how much they like Matt Shaw and believe in his long-term outlook. They certainly aren’t wrong to have that belief. Shaw’s defense at third base was excellent throughout all of 2025, and there were large stretches in the second half where he was key contributor to the team’s offensive success.

In any other offseason, the Cubs would be correct in believing that they don’t need an upgrade over Shaw at third base. The issue is that the 2026 season is going to be a unique one for the Cubs.

A majority of their core will be free agents next offseason, and the biggest loss Chicago has this offseason is Kyle Tucker. Losing Tucker screams that the Cubs need to replace his offensive impact. Couple that with the likes of Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Jameson Taillon, Seiya Suzuki, Shota Imanaga, and Matthew Boyd potentially leaving, and 2026 is suddenly looking like the final season of a two-year contention window. If not, the end of a window where the Cubs’ chips were pushed to the middle of the table.

There’s no need to worry about Matt Shaw for the long term, but his 2026 leash may already be too long.

That is why, in the background of the rumors surrounding the Cubs this offseason, there’s been the impression that they are enamored with Alex Bregman. And yet, because they have Shaw at third base, the Cubs seem more comfortable letting Bregman’s market fall to them instead of forcing the issue.

Something to consider with Shaw, during the final month of the regular season, he slashed .222/.313/.375 with a 95 wRC+ while striking out 27.7% of the time in 83 plate appearances. During the playoffs, Shaw slashed .118/.318/.118 with 7 strikeouts in 23 plate appearances.

Shaw’s final 106 plate appearances of 2025 would suggest that he needs another adjustment. That’s to be expected; he’s 24 and 2025 was his first season in the majors. But facing the importance of what 2026 could mean for the Cubs, they shouldn’t just live with that expectation.

The Cubs need a starting pitcher this offseason, and that should be the priority. But Bregman should be more of a priority than he currently is for the Cubs, and it has everything to do with the long leash they have already afforded the young third baseman.