Chicago Cubs Reportedly Interested in Rockies Third Baseman Ryan McMahon

[Paul Niemiec]

Image courtesy of © Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Cubs had a questionable approach to third base this spring, when they decided to hand the job to 2023 first-round pick Matt Shaw. Shaw “earned” the job after going 5-24 in Spring Training, but this seemed like a decision that was made over the offseason, when the team lost the Alex Bregman sweepstakes. Shaw was optioned to Iowa in mid-April, which left the likes of Jon Berti, Vidal Bruján, Nicky Lopez and Gage Workman to handle the position. Shaw has since been recalled, and looked pretty good in the few at-bats he has had, but Jed Hoyer and company might not see this as a season-long solution. It’s a lot of pressure to put on a rookie, to hold down the job with no real backup plan. Bruján and Berti have been the Killer B's, but it's the Cubs they're killing.

In the last 72 hours, multiple sources have reported the Cubs have done some preliminary “checking in” on Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon. This is not exactly a surprising rumor, given that McMahon has been mentioned in trade rumors frequently over the past few seasons and the Cubs have a hole at third base (or, at least, a half-vacancy). What makes McMahon an interesting fit in Chicago is that he is under contract through 2027, and the Cubs believe Shaw is going to be part of their infield for the foreseeable future. Would they really decide to bring in a guy who is owed $16 million in 2026 and 2027, when they have a third baseman? It makes sense from a 2025 standpoint, at least. This is a team looking to make a serious playoff run and it would help to bring in another, established option at third base.

From a long-term perspective, the move makes less sense. In my expert opinion, there are 2 different thought processes that stem from a potential McMahon trade.

1. Shaw is going to be used as a potential trade chip for a pitcher; although it seems weird to trade another third baseman, after already moving Cam Smith and Isaac Paredes.
2. (And this one is a lot more interesting) As recently as the offseason, there were trade rumors surrounding Nico Hoerner. As it stands, Hoerner is set to earn $12 million in 2026 before reaching free agency at the end of the season. The idea that a McMahon trade makes Hoerner, not Shaw, the trade chip, would align with the offseason rumors.

There is no way a contending Cubs team considers moving Hoerner midseason, but the team could be tempted to listen (or even propose offers) this winter. Shaw was drafted as a shortstop, and played second in the minors, so a shift to second at the big-league level should not be too much to ask. In theory, a McMahon trade would benefit the Cubs in 2025, by allowing Shaw to play more sparingly and potentially gain some exposure to second base by rotating with Hoerner, as well as McMahon at third. After this season, a McMahon trade could allow them to wait another year to find another infielder instead of having to figure that out after 2026.

Does McMahon bring much to the table, anyway? With him in the lineup, the team would have four lefty bats around whom their everyday batting order would revolve: McMahon, Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Michael Busch. McMahon has not exactly been himself so far this season, with a .205 average and an OPS. under .700. Most of that was due to an ice-cold April, as McMahon is currently hitting .333 over 61 plate appearances in May. With 6 home runs on the season, he is on pace to reach 20 home runs for his fifth consecutive season (sixth, if you disqualify 2020). Besides the homers, he has never posted an OPS below .700 since 2018, so he would bring some consistency to a lineup that contains a few streaky hitters. On the defensive side, he isn’t a Gold Glover, but he plays an above-average third and should benefit from playing next to Dansby Swanson. If Tucker is re-signed, a 2026 lineup with McMahon hitting somewhere below 5th has a nice ring to it.

It's important not to take trade rumors in May too seriously, and I doubt the Cubs will make a move for McMahon. There are ways he could fit, but unless Shaw looks unplayable up to the trade deadline, I do not see the team adding him—or any notable third baseman.

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[Tryptamine]

Above average defense with a below average bat. I'd rather let Shaw sink or swim then give up assets for that.

[Hot Sauce]

Given time, Shaw will prove that we had the answer at 3B all along. 

[JBears79]

I brought him up a couple months back thinking he was a free agent at the end of the season. Im not too interested in him with two years left on that deal.

[Brock Beauchamp]

27 minutes ago, JBears79 said:

I brought him up a couple months back thinking he was a free agent at the end of the season. Im not too interested in him with two years left on that deal.

I hadn't thought of it that way and... I think I agree. While I like McMahon for several teams, I'm not sure I like him for the Cubs for 1.5 years.

[We Got The Whole 9]

He's been a crappy hitter for his whole career and I don't quite understand why they'd have any interest. Give Shaw a chance. I mean, come on.

[Bertz]

I think with any long time Rockie there's some possibility for quick player development wins, as by acquiring them you're essentially time traveling them 10 years into the future.

But if he just is who he is, hard hard hard hard pass.  Money is way too tight next season to burn that much on him.