3 Matt Shaw trade fits that could also solve Cubs biggest trade deadline need

Matt Shaw's future with the Chicago Cubs is going to remain a question throughout the rest of this season. Although the former top prospect has adjusted well to playing in the outfield and becoming a utility man after the signing of Alex Bregman, it's no secret that he's at his best when playing the hot corner. The surprise emergence of Michael Conforto as one of the team's best offensive pieces has also further limited his chances to play in right field in 2026. There may be a future for him next season with both Ian Happ and Seiya Susuzki set to hit free agency, but it's still not the best fit for him overall.

The obstacles in his way have once again led to speculation that he could be a trade piece in the Cubs' search for a frontline starter to help an ailing rotation. USA Today's Bob Nightengale opined as such over the weekend, writing that he believed the team "may have no choice but to move infielder Matt Shaw" to get the big addition they need. I don't agree on the "no choice" part, even if he's only started 22 times this year, but it's an option that definitely needs to be on the table. Pedro Ramirez's white-hot breakout campaign has also created plausible replacement infield depth, if needed.

Jed Hoyer doesn't typically like subtracting from the big league roster, and the Cubs clearly like Shaw, but he's a valuable chip that could make a deal for a controllable starter happen. He's shown too many flashes offensively in both his major and minor league careers that they would almost certainly prefer not to move him for a rental. With that in mind, let's look at three teams that could be ideal fits for him that could also give Chicago back someone who can help them both now and in the future.

3 potential trade fits in a Matt Shaw trade this summer

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox were among the teams showing the most interest in Shaw throughout the offseason, but, instead, Craig Breslow ended up swinging a deal with the Brewers to bring in Caleb Durbin as their Bregman replacement. So far, that has backfired. Durbin has regressed mightily from his solid 2025 debut campaign, batting just .165/.247/.245 with a ghastly 31 wRC+. Moreover, among all teams, they rank dead last with an 85 wRC+ collectively and 25th overall when looking at their hitting from the right side.

Infield help appears to, once again, be something they could use, and that's where Shaw could come in. The fit isn't quite as obvious as it once was, but it's still worth checking to see how willing Breslow would be to do a challenge trade. In a perfect world, Shaw would be the centerpiece for a deal involving one of Connelly Early or Payton Tolle, giving the Cubs a controllable, high-end young arm they can continue working with for years to come. The Sox have a wealth of pitching talent, even after their offseason dealings, that could make moving one possible for the right price. The ask would be high, and Tolle, in particular, is likely close to untouchable, but if there's a structure that could work, it would be a game-changer in Chicago.

Even if that's not possible, Sonny Gray remains the most realistic rental option to check in on in a deal not including Shaw. Much of this also depends on how Boston plays in the run-up to the deadline. In a scuffling American League, there's still plenty of time for them to assert themselves in what's shaping up to be a crowded Wild Card race.

Miami Marlins

The Cubs and Marlins have been talking a lot lately, between the near-deal for Jesus Luzardo last year and the actual deal for Edward Cabrera in the offseason, so why not do it again?

Sandy Alcantara would be the prize this time after what has been a return to form to start the 2026 season, looking far more attractive than he did at the 2025 deadline. He's back to sporting a 3.53 ERA and 3.50 FIP, and, though the strikeout rate remains down from his heights as a Cy Young contender, he still has an excellent 49.0 percent grounball rate. With a $21 million club option for next year, too, the Cubs would have some measure of control over the 30-year-old ace.

The Marlins could also use some help at the hot corner. Currently, third base has been a bit of a carousel, with Javier Sonoja and Graham Pauley getting the lion's share of time and neither having a wRC+ above 90. Shaw could stabilize the position for the long haul, coming off a rookie year in which he earned a Gold Glove nomination for his work. The bat hasn't fully translated to the big leagues yet, with a career .230/.294/.395 slash line and 95 wRC+, but the potential is there for a team that can afford to give him a long runway. For the Cubs, it'd be worth it to land one of the game's premier inning eaters.

Minnesota Twins

Unless they could somehow convince the Giants to part ways with Logan Webb, perhaps the best controllable, realistic ace the Cubs could acquire would be Joe Ryan. Like the Red Sox, the Twins are in the thick of it in a very crowded, mediocre AL, but still project to be on the selling end of the trade deadline when all is said and done. Hoyer balked at the prices of controllable starters at the last deadline, including Ryan, but now, moving Shaw makes more sense than ever, and the need for someone of Ryan's stature is greater than ever.

The Twins ace had an injury scare earlier in May with an IL stint for elbow soreness, but it ultimately turned out to be nothing major, and he was back on the mound last week, keeping the Brewers in check with only one run across six innings and seven strikeouts. He's been dominant so far in 2026, pitching to what has so far been a career-best 3.20 ERA and 2.83 FIP in 50 2/3 innings. With little injury history and control through 2027, he's the ideal candidate for what the Cubs should be looking for at the deadline.

Shaw could be a key piece to making that dream a reality, especially given his utility. The Twins have been running with former #1 overall pick Royce Lewis at third base, but his recent struggles after returning from a right knee sprain necessitated a reset in the minors. At second base, Luke Keaschall has also suffered from a sophomore slump coming off a brief, but impressive rookie season in which he posted a 134 wRC+ across 49 games. Shaw could add a bit more power and stability to that infield mix, particularly given Lewis's frightening injury history and inconsistency in the majors. Past him, the Cubs have more than enough prospect capital to get a deal done, even if they don't budge on their top prospects Jaxon Wiggins and Jefferson Rojas.

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