Matt

Shaw

No word yet on whether it’s a guaranteed contract or a minor league deal. Conforto was a big disappointment for the Dodgers last year, but his exit velocity numbers weren’t so bad. With the Cubs, he’s a potential fallback to Moisés Ballesteros in the DH role or possibly a fourth outfielder ahead of Chas McCormick or Matt Shaw. Considering that the rest of the Cubs’ potential bench guys are right-handed hitters, his left-handed bat might come in handy.

Shaw’s path to regular at-bats in Chicago moving forward will be in a versatile super-utility role following the club’s decision to sign third baseman Alex Bregman an keep speedy second baseman Nico Hoerner. The 24-year-old former top prospect was a colossal fantasy disappointment last season but he’s talented enough to thrive in a more limited role and rebuild some of his long-term value.

Hoyer’s remarks came during Alex Bregman’s introductory press conference when discussing Shaw’s role with the club moving forward. The 24-year-old top prospect was a significant disappointment last year in his first taste of the majors, and he’s likely to transition to a versatile multi-position moving forward, unless the Cubs decide to trade second baseman Nico Hoerner. The additional defensive versatility slightly increases his appeal as a bench option in deeper fantasy leagues but he needs to display some growth in the plate skills department before he’s a viable mixed-league option in the future.

There was some thought that the Cubs would try to trade Nico Hoerner and move Shaw to second base, but Law suggests that Shaw may be wearing out his welcome in Chicago. After a poor rookie season, Law reported that Shaw has shown “resistance to help from the Cubs’ staff.” His approach at the plate in 2025 was “undisciplined and often defensive,” according to Law, and he wasn’t eager to make adjustments with the hitting coaches. If that’s the case, it’s easy to see why the Cubs would want to trade Shaw, but may limit his market if teams are worried about him taking the same approach in a new place.

Along with a full no-trade clause, he gets $20 million more than Pete Alonso and $25 million more than Kyle Schwarber over the same timeframe. Outfield might have been the bigger priority for the Cubs, but Bregman still seems like a big upgrade from Matt Shaw at third, and the Cubs could see what Shaw looks like in the outfield. Trading Nico Hoerner is another possibility. For the Red Sox now, it’s Bo Bichette or bust.

Sharma and Mooney add that the Cubs are bracing for Kyle Tucker’s expected departure in free agency and are prepared to give top prospects Owen Caissie and Moises Ballesteros extended runway in the majors. Still, they’re not closing the door on a potential position-player addition. Chicago reportedly made a legitimate push for Bregman last spring before he ultimately landed in Boston. The 31-year-old defensive stalwart produced a robust .273/.360/.462 triple-slash line with 18 homers and 62 RBI across 114 games. His 44.4 percent hard-hit rate was the best of his career. The production, however, came in two distinct acts: Bregman hit .298 with 11 homers in 53 games before a serious quad injury, then managed just a .250 average and seven homers in 61 contests after the All-Star break. His arrival would squeeze former top prospect Matt Shaw off third base and into a likely multi-position utility role.

Chicago will attempt to stave off elimination for the second straight contest at Wrigley Field by rolling out the exact same lineup, which features Busch in the leadoff spot to face Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. The 27-year-old slugger blasted a solo homer — his third postseason round-tripper — in the Cubs’ pivotal Game 3 win. Here’s the full lineup: Busch (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

Cubs manager Craig Counsell will shake things up with veteran Justin Turner leading off, while Michael Busch starts on the bench. Lefty opener Aaron Ashby will take the ball for Milwaukee to kick off the contest before Quinn Priester enters in a bulk relief role. Here’s the full lineup: Turner (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstring (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

Suzuki has been bumped up to the cleanup spot to face Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, with Ian Happ moved down a couple spots, after going 3-for-11 with one homer and a pair of doubles in Chicago’s Wild Card Series victory over San Diego. The 31-year-old corner outfielder finished the season with an impressive power surge and is clearly building some momentum heading into fantasy drafts next spring. Here’s the full lineup: Michael Busch (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Suzuki (RF), Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

Shaw was everywhere in this one. He started the Cubs’ five-run rally in the third inning that chased Mets’ starter Jonah Tong from this game and homered to lead-off the following inning. He chipped in his 17th stolen base of the season later on as well and played fantastic defense at third base all night. It’s been a trying rookie season for him overall, but maybe a solid finish and postseason can help him carry positive momentum into 2026.