Yankees urged to acquire Matt Shaw.
The Chicago Cubs have dealt with some tough injuries to their starting rotation over the past month. Despite those setbacks, the Cubs have been able to continue winning and still sit atop the National League Central with a 1.5-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers and Cubs will face off this week in a crucial divisional series with standings implications.
On Sunday, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale revealed that the Chicago Cubs are in the market for a ‘front-line starter’, but that means Matt Shaw might have to be at the forefront of a trade package to land one of the best starters available via trade.
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Are the Cubs Going to Trade Matt Shaw?
GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – MAY 10: Matt Shaw #6 of the Chicago Cubs anticipates a pitch during a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on May 10, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Nightengale wrote that the Cubs “may have no choice but to move infielder Matt Shaw”. Moving Shaw would only happen if Chicago actually makes him available and if they are truly serious about adding another rotation piece.
Bleacher Report’s Scott Polacek added:
“The injuries have left a rotation of Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon, Colin Rea and Ben Brown, which is not exactly loaded with star power. Rea and Brown had to be moved from a bullpen that has also suffered plenty of injuries just to cover the holes in the rotation. Despite all of that, the Cubs are still in first place in the NL Central. But they may need to make a major trade to maintain that position.”
That ‘major trade’ could be for names like Sandy Alcantara, Freddy Peralta, Joe Ryan, or Luis Severino, all of whom are thought to potentially be on the trading block this summer.
It’s also important to remember that the Cubs have two infielders in Nico Hoerner and Alex Bregman, tied to long-term deals, and even Dansby Swanson is still under contract. Matt Shaw is a versatile infielder who has played many positions across the infield this season, but he might find more stability at one position elsewhere.
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Matt Shaw’s Time with the Chicago Cubs
GettyTORONTO, CANADA – AUGUST 13: Matt Shaw #6 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo-home run in the fifth inning of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 13, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
Matt Shaw is in his second season with the Chicago Cubs. Over 126 games in 2025, he was a very solid player for the Cubs, as he racked up 3.1 bWAR, and hit 13 home runs with 57 runs scored and 21 doubles.
In 2026, Shaw is hitting .245 with three home runs and six doubles over 103 plate appearances.
He’s played 166 total games in his young career and has 16 home runs and 56 RBI to show on his resume.
Again, Shaw’s value goes beyond the bat as well, because he’s a great infielder.
TJ French covers the MLB for Heavy. TJ is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He has 2+ years of writing experience. Follow TJ French on X: @tj_french5 More about TJ French