The Chicago Cubs have been aggressive in recent weeks, trading for Miami Marlins starter Edward Cabrera and signing former Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox infielder Alex Bregman to a five-year $175 million contract.
If the Cubs retain Nico Hoerner, there won't be space for Matt Shaw to play everyday in the infield. That said, Chicago Cubs president Jed Hoyer proposed a different solution.
According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, Hoyer hinted at the idea of playing Shaw in the outfield in order to get in the lineup more often.
Although he doesn't have big league experience in the outfield, right field seems to be the best fit. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ are known to play exceptional defense in both center and right field. Happ has won four consecutive Gold Glove awards while Crow-Armstrong won his first last season.
Assuming Kyle Tucker departs in free agency, Shaw could split time with Seiya Suzuki in right. Suzuki only made 48 appearances in the outfield last season, but posted negative two defensive runs saved at the position in 2024.
Shaw splitting time at the position could relieve Suzuki from time to time and keep him in a more comfortable position at designated hitter. He excelled in this role last season, hitting a career-high 32 home runs and driving in 103 runs.
Either way, Shaw could get time at second base if Hoerner is traded, something that Chicago has yet to take off the table.
Nevertheless, adding the outfield to his repertoire will make him a more versatile piece for the Cubs moving forward.
More MLB news:
- Phillies linked to slugger with over 200 career home runs
- Giants linked to add Marlins' starter via trade
- Giants reveal contract guarantees and bonuses for new starter Tyler Mahle
- Athletics agree to extension with Tyler Soderstrom after breakout season
- Athletics eye rotation upgrades after Jeff McNeil trade
- Ha-Seong Kim returns to the Braves on a one-year contract
- San Francisco has 'checked in on' Cody Bellinger amid free agency