3 internal options to take over third base for the Cubs after trading Isaac Paredes

The Chicago Cubs just completed the most consequential trade in recent memory to acquire superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker.

Tucker is a consistent 5.0+ WAR player entering his age-28 season and he will be a cornerstone of the Cubs offense for the 2025 season. He only comes with one year of team control, but the price tag included much of the Cubs’ third base depth. After acquiring third baseman Isaac Paredes at the 2024 trade deadline, it seemed like he would be manning the hot corner in Chicago for the forseeable future. But his three years of team control went to the Houston Astros along with top-100 third base prospect Cam Smith.

This leaves a pretty big hole at third base, a position the Cubs have been trying to lock down since they moved Kris Bryant at the 2021 trade deadline. As of right now, here are the internal options the Cubs have for third base.

Handing the reins to Matt Shaw is more likely than you think

According to MLB Pipeline, Shaw is currently the Cubs' #1-ranked prospect and the 22nd-best prospect in all of baseball. His name was briefly mentioned in the Kyle Tucker rumors, but the team was luckily able to hold onto him. Shaw is a natural middle infielder who has experience at shortstop and second base. But even prior to the Paredes trade, he was getting offseason work at the hot corner.

Shaw is regarded as a blue-chip prospect, with the potential to play at above-average standards on a regular basis. He has plus speed, decent power and solid glove skills that saw him play third base at an acceptable level across Double and Triple-A in 2024.

It would be a bit of a gamble since Shaw has yet to make his major league debut, but he is probably the best the Cubs can do at third without looking outside the organization for answers.

Is a position change in the cards for Michael Busch?

Michael Busch emerged as a solid contributor in his first year with the Cubs. He almost exclusively played first base, where he excelled defensively and found his groove at the plate. The 27-year-old swatted 21 home runs, drove in 65 and posted a 119 wRC+, good enough for third-best among regular Cubs starters, behind only Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ.

Busch has some experience at third base. When he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Busch was blocked at both first base and second base, forcing him to get time at the hot corner. Third proved to not be a strong position for Busch. He can fill in in a pinch, but his skills are better utilized at first.

This is definitely not the best option and it would be smarter to leave Busch where he is comfortable. He took a major step forward in his first full year of playing time and the Cubs need him to continue improving at the plate. Forcing him to play a position he is uncomfortable with could see his bat take a step backward, which would not be ideal.

If this is the answer, the Cubs need to hang it up and go home

Yep, Miles Mastrobuoni is still on the roster. Even after Hoyer got rid of the other underperformers like Patrick Wisdom and Nick Madrigal, Mastrobuoni remains. The utility man's glove skills are honestly pretty solid and he got a solid amount of playing time at third last year. He is capable of fielding the position, along with shortstop and second base.

The guy's bat is obviously not up to par, which is why this option represents a situation where the Cubs are truly desperate. Mastrobuoni is best used as a bench piece and pinch runner who can fill in on the infield for injured players or give starters rest.