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Trading away Matt Shaw is the move the Chicago Cubs should make before Opening Day. The 2023 first-round pick has become expendable after the team signed Alex Bregman to a massive five-year, $175 million deal. Shaw’s value peaks now, and contenders are watching closely as he transitions to the outfield.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Draft Position: Matt Shaw selected 13th overall in 2023 MLB Draft by Chicago Cubs
- Current Role: Shifted to utility player and right fielder after Alex Bregman signing
- Team Control: Shaw remains under Cubs control through 2031 season
- Reported Interest: Multiple contenders exploring trade feasibility per sources
Alex Bregman’s Arrival Changed Everything for Shaw
Matt Shaw’s status with the Cubs was permanently altered when the front office signed Alex Bregman in January. Shaw had started 126 games at third base in 2025, establishing himself as the position’s long-term solution. That plan instantly evaporated. Bregman is signed through 2030, Dansby Swanson locked through 2029, and Nico Hoerner just extended through 2032. Shaw’s only path to playing time now runs through the unfamiliar outfield, a position he never played professionally before spring training.
The Cubs knew what they were doing when they brought in Bregman for $175 million. They also knew Shaw would need to adapt or become expendable. That moment has arrived earlier than expected.
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Opening Day Proves Outfield Transition Is Urgent
Shaw makes his debut in right field on Opening Day against the Washington Nationals, starting near the bottom of the order in the ninth spot. The recently injured Seiya Suzuki created this opportunity, forcing the Cubs’ hand. Craig Counsell made Shaw his choice over Dylan Carlson and Michael Conforto for the opening assignment. Shaw gets his shot, but critics note his fielding struggles early this spring, with questions about his defensive capabilities already emerging.
This is a bold experiment that could work. It could also fail spectacularly, tanking Shaw’s trade value by mid-May when Suzuki returns from injury.
Trade Value Comparison and Market Position
| Factor | Current Status |
| Age | 24 years old (born November 6, 2001) |
| Trade Value Ranking | 409th overall, 33rd among third basemen |
| Contract Status | Team control through 2031 (versatile asset) |
| Potential Suitors | Dodgers, Royals, Boston Red Sox monitoring |
Shaw’s trade stock is genuinely higher than Nico Hoerner’s right now, according to analytics. He remains a controllable MLB-ready prospect with seven more years under contract. For a team five games into the season, testing Shaw in the outfield serves a dual purpose. It either converts him into a starting-caliber player for the corner outfield, or it dramatically reduces his value to contenders looking for an infielder.
The risk-reward equation favors trading him now while his value still commands attention from Los Angeles, Kansas City, and other playoff-contending organizations.
“The Cubs aren’t looking to move away from that plan. Shaw works hard to quickly accustom himself to his new role in the outfield. Unfortunately, there have been some struggles for Shaw in the outfield to begin the season.”
— Roundtable Sports Analysis
The Bregman Extension Creates a Roster Crisis for Chicago
Nobody predicted the Cubs would be this crowded at the infield heading into Opening Day 2026. The front office painted themselves into a corner by simultaneously extending multiple position players while adding a $175 million third baseman. Hoerner becomes a free agent next offseason, Ian Happ hits free agency, and Suzuki enters his final contracted year. That’s three outfield spots potentially opening by next spring. Shaw could fill one. Or the Cubs move him for much-needed assets.
Management had two paths: Keep Shaw as a long-term project or sell high before injuries, inconsistency, or defensive liabilities crater his value further. Trading before Opening Day is the smarter business decision.
Will the Cubs Actually Pull the Trigger Before the Deadline?
Multiple front offices have inquired about Matt Shaw’s availability this spring. The Dodgers, Royals, and contending organizations understand his situation. They know the Cubs face tough roster decisions. They also know Shaw’s age and contract status make him appealing for teams wanting controllable young talent through 2031. But will the Cubs listen to offers, or will they hold firm and see if Shaw thrives in right field?
History suggests Chicago management makes sentimental decisions over hard business ones. If Shaw hits .250 with moderate power in April, the front office might convince itself he’s the solution. By July, it’s too late to extract maximum value. Strategic GMs trade assets at their peak, not after six months of underperformance. Shaw’s peak is now, in early April, before the market fully realizes he may not be an outfielder.
