A Cubs Roundtable writer has identified infielder Matt Shaw as a player the Chicago Cubs could trade this offseason as the club seeks pitching help amid a crowded infield.
Joey Pollizze listed Shaw among three young players the North Siders might deal. Pollizze noted that the Cubs have not hesitated to trade young talent in recent years.
The club sent Cam Smith to the Houston Astros in the Kyle Tucker deal, Owen Caissie to the Miami Marlins for Edward Cabrera, and Moises Ballesteros to the Los Angeles Angels for Ryan Zeferjahn.
Shaw, a 24-year-old right-handed hitter drafted 13th overall in 2023 out of Maryland, drew interest last offseason. Chicago kept him despite an uneven rookie campaign in 2025.
That year, Shaw hit .226 with 13 home runs, 21 doubles, 44 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 126 games. The Cubs hoped to unlock more consistent offensive production from the versatile defender.
Shaw’s 2026 season fell short of that goal.
He batted .237 with five home runs, nine doubles, three triples, 24 RBIs and four stolen bases across 77 games.
Injuries limited his availability, and he was not productive when healthy, according to Pollizze. With the Cubs needing starting pitching for a potential 2027 push, Pollizze suggested the team could finally move Shaw.
Shaw remains under club control through the 2031 season, which could make him an appealing return in a deal for a high-end starter. The infield is largely set with Alex Bregman, Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner under long-term contracts.
Shaw and fellow young infielder Pedro Ramirez can both play multiple positions, including the outfield, but there is limited room for both to receive regular at-bats.
Pollizze wrote that Ramirez may hold more trade value after a solid rookie year in which he hit .261 with six home runs, 12 doubles, two triples, 32 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 80 games.
The Cubs finished the 2026 regular season 89-73 and second in the National League Central before falling in the NL Wild Card Series. Pitching remains a clear priority this winter as several starters approach free agency or option decisions.
Pollizze’s analysis frames Shaw as a controllable piece the front office could use to address that need while the infield stays locked in. Whether the Cubs act on that idea will depend on the market for controllable arms and the organization’s view of Shaw’s long-term role.
For now, the 24-year-old remains on the roster as an option who can move around the diamond.
The offseason is young, and Pollizze’s piece is one early signal of how the Cubs might approach roster construction for 2027.
