Is Right Field a Viable Place to Put Matt Shaw?

[Joe Sbertoli]

Image courtesy of © Brett Davis-Imagn Images

 

The Chicago Cubs offseason started out slower than most Cubs fans had hoped for, but in a loud one-two punch earlier this month, they changed the narrative, trading for Edward Cabrera to bolster the starting rotation and signing All-Star Alex Bregman to buttress the everyday lineup. Speculation about trading away one of the other infielders on the roster (namely, Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw) started almost immediately, because there are now more starting-caliber players than remaining starting positions on the infield. It appears, however, that the Cubs may have another plan in mind—one that could provide major lineup flexibility for the upcoming season.

Videos surfaced online of Matt Shaw taking outfield reps recently, indicating that they may be asking him to help fill the void in right field that was left when Kyle Tucker signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency. That wasn't some carefully guarded secret slipping out, either. Craig Counsell told the media Shaw will play some outfield this year, at Cubs Convention.

If Shaw is able to demonstrate that he can hold down a corner outfield position, it would allow Counsell to be creative building his lineup based on the matchups from day to day. When the Cubs square off against dominant left-handed starters, they could roll out a lineup loaded with talented right-handed bats when Shaw is playing in right field. Below is an example of what a lineup could look like.

1. 2B (R) Nico Hoerner
2. 3B (R) Alex Bregman 
3. LF (S) Ian Happ 
4. DH (R) Seiya Suzuki 
5. 1B (R) Tyler Austin
6. SS (R) Dansby Swanson
7. CF (L) Pete Crow-Armstrong 
8. C (R) Carson Kelly
9. RF (R) Matt Shaw

Moisés Ballesteros and Michael Busch would start on the bench in this scenario, and could enter the game to take advantage of a right-handed relief pitcher later, to great effect. It's the kind of vicious matchup play Counsell loves.

If Shaw can consistently handle the defensive responsibilities in right field, it would also allow Seiya Suzuki to play DH. All things equal, the Cubs would surely love to keep Suzuki out of the field, but only if Shaw pans out especially well will that be possible.

Here's an example of a lineup the Cubs could roll out against a right-handed starter:

1. 1B (L) Michael Busch
2. 3B (R) Alex Bregman
3. LF (S) Ian Happ
4. RF (R)  Seiya Suzuki
5. DH (L) Moises Ballesteros
6. 2B (R) Nico Hoerner
7. CF (L) Pete Crow-Armstrong
8. C (R) Carson Kelly
9. SS (R) Dansby Swanson  

In this scenario, Shaw could come in during the late innings (if the Cubs are trying to maintain a lead) for Suzuki in right field. Shaw could be used as a super-utility player, like Ben Zobrist was during his time with the Cubs, to rest Hoerner, Swanson or Bregman. Baseball seasons are long and injuries happen. It is a massive advantage to have a guy who can cover multiple positions effectively.

Of course, all this assumes that Shaw will be a good enough hitter to at least help, rather than hurt, as a right fielder. That would require a major step forward from him, and not the oversized kind he was taking to load up his swing last year. He batted .226/.295/.394 as a rookie. That played fine at third base, since he was a plus defender there and the league's third basemen only batted .244/.308/.397, but the average right fielder batted .247/.319/.422 last season. Shaw has to get much better with the stick for it to matter whether his glove can be of any help in right.

In center, he's more playable, and perhaps he could be the platoon partner for Crow-Armstrong, but the team has several other players coming to camp to audition for that role. Moving around the diamond is the only way Shaw will find consistent playing time for the team in 2026, but while a move to right field seems like the easiest path to at-bats for him, it might not be in the team's best interest. As spring training draws near, he remains very much a trade candidate.

 

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[tknight923]

Matt Shaw stinks. They need to trade his smelly butt.

[Brock Beauchamp]

4 hours ago, tknight923 said:

Matt Shaw stinks. They need to trade his smelly butt.

... welcome to the site? I guess?

[Joe Sbertoli]

4 hours ago, tknight923 said:

Matt Shaw stinks. They need to trade his smelly butt.

Thanks for sharing your insight tknight923, it’s too early to give up Shaw. Hoping for a lot of growth this year from him.

[Arlen]

How is Matt Shaw not better at third than Bregman?

[Jason Ross]

1 hour ago, Arlen said:

How is Matt Shaw not better at third than Bregman?

He's better using DRS, he's worse using OAA. It depends on which you'd like to use. 

[Arlen]

And Shaw is on the rise, both at third and at the plate. I don't see how we can say the same for Bregman.

[Jason Ross]

3 hours ago, Arlen said:

And Shaw is on the rise, both at third and at the plate. I don't see how we can say the same for Bregman.

Is he "on the rise"? He had a good run after the ASB, but he also finished the year where he struggled down the stretch and in the playoffs. His good run equates to around 1.5 months of good baseball. Development is not linear; this means he doesn't have to get better simply because he's young. Many young players have struggled and been bad after an initial good run of baseball. 

Since 2020, Bregman has averaged a 124 wRC+. He had a 125 wRC+ last year. He doesn't need to be "on the rise" at the age of 31; he's what anyone here would hope that Matt Shaw could eventually be offensively. 

Defensively, Bregman was better per OAA and worse per DRS. 

[Arlen]

Shaw's trajectory appears one of the continuing kind. Contact with power and speed. Excellent defense for a new position.