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The Chicago Cubs need some pitching. One way they can find some is to trade a young second baseman who is not at his natural position.

The Chicago Cubs are off to a hot start this season. Though they just lost a series to the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, they still are in first place in the National League Central and are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second-best record in the senior circuit.

However, one thing they are missing right now is a frontline starter. They could potentially trade from their group of position players to land what they need before the August 3 deadline, but they are currently lacking in that department, especially with a few starters on the injured list.

One player they could potentially trade is Matt Shaw. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Cubs might be looking to shop him. FanSided’s Christopher Kline listed a few places the Cubs could send him that would bring back quality pitching, and the Tampa Bay Rays were one of those teams.

“Tampa is red-hot right now, with the best record in the American League. The Rays are loaded with solid, fundamental hitters and a deep reserve of quality pitchers. Their rotation has already survived multiple early-season injuries, not skipping a beat with both Ryan Pepiot and Steven Matz on the IL,” Kline wrote.

“Nick Martinez has a plainly unsustainable 1.51 ERA through nine starts. Tampa would be wise to sell high once the rotation approaches full strength. Chicago is probably aiming higher than a 35-year-old rental when it comes to a potential Shaw trade, however, so it could take a prospect or two on Tampa’s end to grease the wheels. Or, we could see the Cubs aim higher for a Pepiot or even a Shane McClanahan, with the latter due for free agency in less than two years.”

Cubs’ Matt Shaw Could Bring Back Pitching Depth

Shaw is hitting .245/.294/.404 with three home runs, 12 RBI and a .698 OPS, but Tampa Bay could be a good place for him to revitalize his career. He is out of his natural position of third base now that Alex Bregman has been signed, so the Cubs don’t exactly have a spot for him.

What It Would Take

It will likely take more than just Shaw to land a top starting pitcher, but he is somebody that the Cubs could dangle in trade talks and possibly sell high on.

The Cubs shouldn’t be afraid to go big at the deadline. Perhaps getting somebody like McClanahan is a bit of a stretch, but if the Cubs are serious about making a push, they’ll have to make some tough decisions.

One of those could include shipping Shaw to another team in a need-for-need trade. It will be interesting to see if the Cubs can find a new home for him, but it’s clear that he does not have a fit in Chicago any longer since Bregman is now signed.