Chicago Cubs’ pursuing third basemen Bregman, Suarez? What about Matt Shaw?

The Chicago Cubs came into the offseason targeting pitching. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins have flat-out declared their primary focus to be pitching this winter.

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This makes sense. The Cubs, at least on paper, or all set when it comes to position players. The only marginal question mark is right field, where Kyle Tucker is outgoing and the tandem of Seiya Suzki/Owen Caissie is set to replace him. Chicago’s pitching staff, meanwhile, is full of holes and question marks, both in the bullpen as well as the starting rotation.

Chicago Cubs and Bregman, Suarez?

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In recent days, however, it’s been revealed that the team is checking into third baseman.

Over the weekend, MLB insider Francys Romero reported that the Cubs have looked into veteran slugger Eugenio Suarez, who they were tied to prior to last season’s trade deadline:

“The Cubs continue to explore the third-base market in free agency, and Eugenio Suarez is one of the names to watch in the coming days, according to multiple sources, Romero wrote in an X post on Sunday morning.”

Prior to that, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic wrote that the team had renewed interest in Alex Bregman, who they pursued before the start of last season.

There have also been some distant rumblings of the Cubs kicking the tires on Japanese third base imports Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto.

What about Matt Shaw?

So, with all of this buzz surfacing, where does that leave the team’s current projected starting third baseman Matt Shaw?

The 24-year-old Shaw struggled with the bat in his rookie season, got sent down to the minors early on for a crash retooling and then brought back up because, frankly, the Cubs were out of third base options. To his credit, though, he stepped up to a degree and worked his way into becoming just about a league-average hitter after his return to the majors. He also surprised with his glove, delivering near-Gold Glove-level defense at third, despite his reputation as a bat-first, glove-second prospect.

But, clearly, if Bregman is brought aboard, Shaw will be moved from his starting gig. If Suarez is brought aboard, Shaw will have his field time cut considerably. The same goes if Chicago brings in one of the Japanese talents.

Even if the Cubs bring in a free agent for third base, though, Shaw will remain an important asset to the team.

In what might constitute a best case scenario situation, Bregman could be moved in at third while Shaw, who had played every position but catcher, pitcher, and first base in the minors, could be moved out to a backup position at both third base and second base, getting significant at bats as relief for Nico Hoerner and Bregman.

Using him as a super sub off the bench would also eliminate the Cubs’ need to go out and sign a veteran utility man to serve in that role.

Throughout his development, second base was always considered Shaw’s ideal spot on the field and he could provide some insurance for the possible loss of a free agency-bound Hoerner after next season.

Trade bait?

Shaw could also be an asset as a key component to a trade.

When the Cubs were looking for a high-end, team-controlled starting pitcher at the trade deadline last season, selling teams were reportedly asking for young, major league-ready players in return. Shaw definitely fits the bill of someone who could immediately be plugged into the lineup of a team in rebuild mode.

Whatever the case, there is a future for Matt Shaw– whether it’s in Chicago or somewhere else.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-third-base-bregman-suarez-shaw-free-agents