Cubs may be ready to trade Matt Shaw if it means successful rotation overhaul

Matt Shaw has been speculated to be a trade candidate ever since the Chicago Cubs signed Alex Bregman last January, but it never appeared the Cubs were all that serious in moving their former first-round pick. As the GM Meetings wrap up this week, it sounds like the Cubs are now seriously considering trading Shaw.

When talking about how the Cubs will go about their search for pitching this offseason, The Score's Bruce Levine suggested that Shaw could traded for pitching. At first, Levine suggested it as a scenario the Cubs should consider. But as the conversation went on, it shifted to Levine thinking that is what the Cubs will do this winter.

Cubs may sacrifice Matt Shaw to pull off a massive rotation overhaul

We've already talked about the Yankees being an ideal trade partner in a potential Shaw swap. The Yankees have a number of cost-controlled arms who could be forced out of the rotation next season, and they also have a need at third base. On paper, there's a match and this feels like the type of move that could be explored before the lockout.

Similar to the Yankees, the Mariners are also a clear fit for Shaw, considering the need they've had in the infield over the past two years. The Mariners, like New York, also have a surplus of cost-controlled pitching. The Cubs were connected to Emerson Hancock and George Kirby at the trade deadline, and it stands to reason the Mariners would dangle either of those arms in a potential trade for offense.

The Cubs are hoping to add three established starting pitchers this offseason. With that should come the expectation that the Cubs are hopeful that one of those pitchers will be capable of sitting at the top of their rotation. Right now, the Cubs don't really have a defined ace, and that's a problem for a team expecting to contend in 2027.

A trade would seemingly be the only way the Cubs will be able to find an ace this offseason. Especially since it's already been made clear that the Cubs won't be involved in the bidding for Tarik Skubal, and Michael King for similar, but less financial reasons. Using to Shaw to accomplish that goal in a trade would give the Cubs an ace while leaving even more financial room.

Along those lines, if Shaw is traded, then that heightens the urgency for replacing Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ. Considering the money saved by trading Shaw for an cost-controlled pitcher, the hope would be that the Cubs recycle the savings into a more established option in the outfield. Anything other than that would give a concerning sign for the Cubs spending for the rest of the year.

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