Let's talk 3B and reality vs. fan fiction......

[cubfansince77]

REAL curious to get some opinion on what the hell we're gonna actually do at 3B this coming season. FTR, I'm not a Matt Shaw fan in more ways than one. I think he'd be a solid bench player and late inning replacement, if for instance we trade for Bohm after Philly signs Bichette which I think they're gonna do. That would be my first choice. Secondly would be to sign Suarez, who is older and an avg. fielder but man would he look good in the middle of our lineup guys. He could hit 45-50 homers at Wrigley. Lastly, I want Bregman too but I think we know deep down that's not gonna happen. He's also been hurt more and more as he's aged which isn't unusual but a fact nonetheless. 

Thoughts?

Edited January 10 by cubfansince77
left out a few facts

[We Got The Whole 9]

They should let Shaw see how far he can run with it. His floor is extremely high and he doesn't need to be a ++ bat to produce worthwhile value. I love his glove and the speed element he adds on offense.

 

But hes also potentially a ++ bat. I expect much better hitting this time and moving forward. Even if the contact-quality leaves some to be desired. He has a good approach and has figured it out at every level. 

 

I think hes a 4 win player, very similar to Nico in how that value is accumulated.

[Derwood]

I don't know what you saw from last season that would relegate him to "bench player at best". 

[cubfansince77]

To posters 9 and Derwood: Just don't think Shaw has enough pop  and power to play 3B. Strikes me as a position teams need to get good power production from. I say that fully realizing he had good power stats in college and the minors but I'm not seeing that thus far in MLB. I hope you guys are right but I'm skeptical. 

Then again, I've been wrong before: he might just need more seasoning as '9' suggested. 

 

Edited January 10 by cubfansince77
left out a few facts

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, cubfansince77 said:

To posters 9 and Derwood: Just don't think Shaw has enough pop  and power to play 3B. Strikes me as a position teams need to get good power production from. I say that fully realizing he had good power stats in college and the minors but I'm not seeing that thus far in MLB. I hope you guys are right but I'm skeptical. 

 

He is better than Bohm. Cubs don’t move Shaw for Bohm to play, that is for sure. I want Bregman or Bichette but not because I think Shaw isn’t good. He is good. He would be awesome as a utility guy next year and then take over for Nico after that. And Bregman isn’t going to hit 45-50 homers with the Cubs in ‘26. 

[mk49]

Reality: Shaw

I want Bregman the most, but most likely, that's not gonna happen.  Shaw has the potential to be almost as good as Bregman in a few years, if he gets the playing time.  If the Cubs are really looking hard for a 3B, they just don't want to wait or it's their backup plan, in case Nico leaves.

[Rcal10]

51 minutes ago, mk49 said:

Reality: Shaw

I want Bregman the most, but most likely, that's not gonna happen.  Shaw has the potential to be almost as good as Bregman in a few years, if he gets the playing time.  If the Cubs are really looking hard for a 3B, they just don't want to wait or it's their backup plan, in case Nico leaves.

They probably want to better they team this year and then use Shaw when Hoerner leaves. 

[mk49]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

They probably want to better they team this year and then use Shaw when Hoerner leaves. 

That's what I think, too.

[CubinNY]

3 hours ago, cubfansince77 said:

To posters 9 and Derwood: Just don't think Shaw has enough pop  and power to play 3B. Strikes me as a position teams need to get good power production from. I say that fully realizing he had good power stats in college and the minors but I'm not seeing that thus far in MLB. I hope you guys are right but I'm skeptical. 

Then again, I've been wrong before: he might just need more seasoning as '9' suggested. 

 

He’s going to eventually move to 2nd when they let Nico walk or trade him. 

[Rcal10]

8 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

He’s going to eventually move to 2nd when they let Nico walk or trade him. 

Careful NY. Cubfansince77 might accuse you of being mine and Derwood’s buddy too. And suggest we are all wrong. He is obviously right. DUH!!!!

[Derwood]

38 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Careful NY. Cubfansince77 might accuse you of being mine and Derwood’s buddy too. And suggest we are all wrong. He is obviously right. DUH!!!!

Dude is coming in hot

[Stratos]

Bregman will be 32 around opening day.  Post-prime is coming for him. Rather have Bichette, though i think he'll age poorly, but hey whatevs.  Shaw i have no issues playing either.

Edited January 11 by Stratos

[Bertz]

Matt Shaw last year in total played at a 1st division starter level, and generally improved as the season went on.  He absolutely warrants a full time job at 3B.  However the team is looking at 3B, and I think they're right to, for two reasons:

1. The org is super thin on infielders 

2. 3B is/was the best place to add a RHH bat to round out the lineup

#1 is a biggy on a couple fronts.  There's injury depth, there's Nico Hoerner succession planning, there's a desire to not block a bunch of prospects if you're shelling out 9 figures.  #2 is mostly about the market (Bregman, Bichette, etc.) but also partially a nod to the versatility afforded by Shaw and Nico.

[Stratos]

2 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Matt Shaw last year in total played at a 1st division starter level, and generally improved as the season went on.  He absolutely warrants a full time job at 3B.  However the team is looking at 3B, and I think they're right to, for two reasons:

1. The org is super thin on infielders 

2. 3B is/was the best place to add a RHH bat to round out the lineup

#1 is a biggy on a couple fronts.  There's injury depth, there's Nico Hoerner succession planning, there's a desire to not block a bunch of prospects if you're shelling out 9 figures.  #2 is mostly about the market (Bregman, Bichette, etc.) but also partially a nod to the versatility afforded by Shaw and Nico.

Bichette has some versatility too. which should help next year and beyond.  I could see him at 2b next year and that's one heck of a 2b

[Rex Buckingham]

3B reality... Alex Bregman!

[mk49]

4 hours ago, mk49 said:

Reality: Shaw

I want Bregman the most, but most likely, that's not gonna happen.  Shaw has the potential to be almost as good as Bregman in a few years, if he gets the playing time.  If the Cubs are really looking hard for a 3B, they just don't want to wait or it's their backup plan, in case Nico leaves.

Replying to myself.  Well, I was wrong.  We got Bregman.😁

[cubfansince77]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Careful NY. Cubfansince77 might accuse you of being mine and Derwood’s buddy too. And suggest we are all wrong. He is obviously right. DUH!!!!

HUGE BUMP....your boy MAGA Matt just got replaced R10. Suck on that broseph!!!!!!!!!!

[cubfansince77]

21 minutes ago, mk49 said:

Replying to myself.  Well, I was wrong.  We got Bregman.😁

You aren't the only one....you're just the only one to admit it. MAGA Matt relegated to the bench where he belongs. LOLZZZZZZZZZZ

[Rcal10]

10 hours ago, cubfansince77 said:

HUGE BUMP....your boy MAGA Matt just got replaced R10. Suck on that broseph!!!!!!!!!!

When did Shaw become my boy. What is wrong with you? I love the move for Bregman. I actually agreed with you that though we loved it we both doubted it would happen. Cubs signing him doesn’t lessen any belief in Shaw. Doesn’t mean he is, at best, a back up infielder. Maybe for ‘26 he is. But he will most likely be the starting second baseman next year. I don’t like Shaw, the man. But he is a good ballplayer and this move strengthens the bench with him on it. Dude, lighten up. 

[cubfansince77]

On 1/11/2026 at 10:25 AM, Rcal10 said:

When did Shaw become my boy. What is wrong with you? I love the move for Bregman. I actually agreed with you that though we loved it we both doubted it would happen. Cubs signing him doesn’t lessen any belief in Shaw. Doesn’t mean he is, at best, a back up infielder. Maybe for ‘26 he is. But he will most likely be the starting second baseman next year. I don’t like Shaw, the man. But he is a good ballplayer and this move strengthens the bench with him on it. Dude, lighten up. 

No problemo. We are on the same page FWIW about Shaw, both on and off the field. Peace out. 

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, cubfansince77 said:

No problemo. We are on the same page FWIW about Shaw, both on and off the field. Peace out. 

I don’t thjnk we agree with his on the field ability. I think he could be very good. I wouldn’t mind him at 2nd in ‘27. I would be fine with them trading him, but they need a solid return. As much as I don’t agree with his views, I don’t want them to just get rid of him because his off the field views. 

[imb]

personally, as much as i think shaw probably never again hits as well as he did in the second half last year, i think it would be a mistake to trade him. He can theoretically provide cover at 7-8 different positions if we realllllly stretch it out and assume he could swing the OF. Suzuki is hurt every year, Bregman will miss time. Nico will shift to SS if Dansby goes down, etc. Maybe they can turn Shaw into 5 Below Zobrist. 

Shaw's batted ball data is so ugly, I just kind of assume you wouldn't get as much back for him as you think you would. Probably worth a season to see if you make him a 450 ab super sub

[Bull]

7 hours ago, imb said:

personally, as much as i think shaw probably never again hits as well as he did in the second half last year, i think it would be a mistake to trade him. He can theoretically provide cover at 7-8 different positions if we realllllly stretch it out and assume he could swing the OF. Suzuki is hurt every year, Bregman will miss time. Nico will shift to SS if Dansby goes down, etc. Maybe they can turn Shaw into 5 Below Zobrist. 

Shaw's batted ball data is so ugly, I just kind of assume you wouldn't get as much back for him as you think you would. Probably worth a season to see if you make him a 450 ab super sub

Especially since, though you may try, there's no guarantee you can resign Hoerner. Why give up on Shaw this year of all years when he offers you pretty significant hedge against injury and Will have 400-500 PA's without a Hoerner/Bregman/Swanson injury?

I still think the whole exercise is silly. There is no way the Cubs are shopping him. Any return would be an overpay, and teams aren't likely to do that. It's just not a thing.