3 Cubs players in jeopardy with Matt Shaw's return

Matt Shaw's return to the Cubs looks ever more likely after the third baseman's hot stretch for the Iowa Cubs.

The team's no. 1 prospect has six home runs, 14 RBIs, and a .286/.409/.560 slash line in 24 games at Triple-A since getting sent down in April. Four of those home runs came in back-to-back multi-homer games last week, making it ever apparent that Shaw could be ready to come back and test his swing at the majors again.

If he has figured out the adjustments needed to be a league-average bat in MLB, Shaw is a lot more valuable than the men on this list.

1. Nicky Lopez

Soon after Shaw got sent down, and third baseman Gage Workman was designated for assignment, the Cubs signed Nicky Lopez to a contract on April 23. Over the last few weeks, Lopez has enjoyed a sort of three-man platoon role at third base alongside Jon Berti and Vidal Bruján. Lopez has arguably been the best defensively out of those three, but his bat has not kept up.

In 28 plate appearances for the Cubs this year, Lopez has only reached base safely five times with one hit, four walks, and two runs scored. This lackluster production at the plate has seen Lopez get a lot of his playing time in later innings as a defensive replacement.

Lopez has roots in Chicago, and he spent a lot of time with the team in Spring Training, but his presence on this team isn't valuable enough to go out of your way to keep around, no matter what. When Shaw comes back, Lopez is probably the most likely candidate to get booted off the roster.

2. Vidal Bruján

Bruján and Lopez are very similar players. Both are versatile defenders who can play all around the diamond, with great speed on the bases. The difference is that Bruján is three years younger, is a switch hitter, and has a bit more success at the plate than Lopez with five hits and two doubles.

It's a matter of preference because Lopez has been a bit more selective at the plate by not chasing as much and he is clearly the better defender at third base and probably shortstop and second base as well. But Bruján has more experience in the outfield and can play center field, unlike everyone else on the team besides Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Either scenario is likely, but I think Bruján has a slightly better chance of staying given the Cubs traded Matt Mervis to acquire him and they may want to avoid that trade looking completely pointless before Bruján can give a bit more value.

3. Jon Berti

While Shaw's return would not spell the end of Jon Berti's tenure with the Cubs, he will see a significant reduction in playing time. The 35-year-old has always provided good speed and he can play third base at a respectable level, but Shaw is much more capable of making the routine plays given he is 12 years younger than Berti.

Berti has also cooled off at an astounding rate with his bat, and he has a wRC+ of 50 (100 is league average) through his first 29 games this year. Shaw, at the very least, can draw walks and has the ability to hit home runs, two skills Berti is not proficient in. The former Marlin only has 24 career home runs to his name, and he is walking at a 4.9% clip this year.

But unlike Lopez and Bruján, the Cubs have more of a financial investment in Berti, with him signed to a $2 million deal this year. Which means he is not at risk of getting kicked off the roster yet.

Editor's Note: Reports on Monday morning indicate that the Cubs are looking to trade Nicky Lopez as the corresponding move for Matt Shaw being added back to the 26-man roster.