The Chicago Cubs elevated their infield for the upcoming season when they added Alex Bregman at third base.
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Third base was a weak spot for Chicago in 2025, with Matt Shaw starting at the position during his rookie season. Bregman will help a roster that lost right fielder Kyle Tucker to free agency in the offseason.
(Tucker signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.)
With Bregman, the Cubs have several options for Shaw in 2026. Chicago can use him as a utility player to give starters rest during the regular season, something the team didn’t have the luxury of doing last year.
Shaw is expected to play in the outfield some this season. He had a .226 batting average in his rookie season, something that he needs to improve upon if he wants more playing time.
Or the Cubs could trade the young player.
Per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, Chicago has welcomed conversations about trading Nico Hoerner and Shaw. The Boston Red Sox are showing interest in both infielders.
“According to sources, the Cubs have been open to conversations on both, and the Sox are among the many teams that have checked in about the two players,” Speier said.
The Red Sox have checked in on both Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw and the Cubs haven’t shut it down, per @alexspeier.
“According to sources, the Cubs have been open to conversations on both, and the Sox are among the many teams that have checked in about the two players.” pic.twitter.com/e8UniwwjI7
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) January 31, 2026
Chicago Cubs’ Matt Shaw suggested a trade could come
Sep 19, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw (6) reacts after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
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Earlier in January, Shaw acknowledged that a trade could happen after Bregman was added.
“Of course, you’re kind of looking at it like, ‘Oh, man, where am I going to play?’” Shaw said. “And you get a little anxious about those things, because the team knows me good enough at this point to know I just want to be prepared when the season comes around.
“So, of course, I immediately have questions like, ‘Am I going to go here? Am I going to go there?’ And they’ve been transparent with me, just kind of helping me to understand the role of moving to different positions, giving guys an off-day here and there. I’m pretty excited about it.”
Even if Shaw isn’t traded to the Red Sox soon, he could be a target through the trade deadline this summer. Hoerner appears to be another Cubs player on a short leash.
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