Cubs insider confirms Matt Shaw will get significant playing time in the outfield

Barring some surprise last-minute trade, Matt Shaw will be with the Chicago Cubs in 2026. The Boston Red Sox were seen as the best chance for Jed Hoyer and company to get the haul needed to consider moving the young third baseman, but a trade for Caleb Durbin from the Brewers all but squashed that avenue. Now, the focus in Spring Training is on getting Shaw ready for his new role as a utility man.

The expectation thus far into camp is that he would move around the field wherever needed to get meaningful playing time and spell players who need it. That includes the outfield. Last month, Hoyer indicated as much when addressing how he factored in with Alex Bregman manning the hot corner, likening Shaw to Javier Baez when he was young. Yet, unlike Baez, he may be spending a lot more innings in the grass than once expected.

The Score's Bruce Levine appeared on the Mully & Haugh Show this week, driving home just how extensively the Cubs plan to use Shaw in right field. Counsell told him that the 24-year-old Gold Glove nominee is "definitely going to be getting a lot of time in the outfield," to the point that he could be spending the lion's share of time in the corner when there's a left-handed pitcher on the mound. Seiya Suzuki would flip to designated hitter on most of those days, effectively platooning Shaw with Moises Ballesteros.

That's all notable to hear because Shaw hasn't played a single inning in the outfield in his professional career and Counsell just made a point of reaffirming Suzuki's position as the primary right fielder. It's one thing to work him in at left or right on occasion, but the decision to rely on him to cover such a hefty workload in right indicates a lot of confidence in his athleticism to make up for the lack of defensive experience. To that point, Levine said Counsell's expectations are just for Shaw to be good with the glove in a super utility role, though not necessarily great at all positions. If he can play an average, or even slightly above average, right field as hoped, that would be a potential difference maker for the Cubs and allow them to get their best lineup on the field just about every day.

Last year's team got next to nothing from their bench, save for the occasional instance of Justin Turner's heroics. Shaw is already a massive upgrade, even if he only slashed .226/.295/.394 with a 93 wRC+ in his first full season. Despite cooling off down the stretch and into the postseason, his second-half slash line of .258/.317/.522 with a 130 wRC+ showed the offensive potential he holds. It's just a matter of seeing if he can keep taking strides with the bat while also shifting positions.

Knowing that he'll primarily be used in the outfield might help make the adjustment to a utility role slightly easier. At the very least, platooning with Ballesteros will ensure both of them get that much-needed developmental playing time. Levine added that both are expected to get around 400+ plate appearances in their respective roles, assuming they're hitting well enough to justify it.

Shaw's outfield playing time has big implications for the Cubs' future

While Shaw's potential versatility may be immensely valuable for the 2026 team, his outfield play could also say a lot about where the organization is going in 2027 and beyond. He has to actually perform, but this year could prepare him to become the full-time replacement for Suzuki or Ian Happ, particularly if the Cubs are intent on keeping him and extending Nico Hoerner. Thus far, there haven't been any conversations with either corner outfielder about an extension. Perhaps that will change as the spring unfolds, but a strong showing by Shaw in right would give them a bit more freedom and security in any negotiations if they choose to wait until Suzuki and Happ hit free agency.

For now, the Cubs have made sure their bases are entirely covered for 2026. When spring training ends, they'll be carrying a proper fourth outfielder type for the bench, whether that be Kevin Alcantara, Chas McCormick, Dylan Carlson, or someone else entirely. They also added Tyler Austin to be their go-to righty masher in a pinch. No matter how Shaw plays, this team will be able to naturally adjust and weave him in as necessary. In the eyes of Counsell and the front office, though, the sky's the limit for their newly-crowned utility man.