Cubs trade rumor squashed by MLB insider’s latest report

Prior to Matt Shaw's return to the Major League level, rightful speculation suggested that the Chicago Cubs could be in the market for a third baseman at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. Having acquired a third baseman at each of the last two deadlines, addressing the hot corner has become common practice for Jed Hoyer's front office. However, it seems that rumors of the Cubs doing so for a third time in a row can be put to rest.

Shaw has been excellent in his return from Triple-A. In doing so, he has proved what Hoyer has been saying all along, Shaw is the answer for the Cubs' need at third base this season. And with that, we can put to bed the idea of the Cubs trading for Colorado Rockies' third baseman Ryan McMahon.

The Cubs were rumored to be among the teams interested in McMahon, but it was a rumor that never made much sense outside of the general need the team had for a third baseman. Having a discouraging offensive season, along with numbers away from Coors Field that aren't ideal, McMahon wouldn't have been the answer at third base that Cubs fans were hoping for.

While placing odds on various players potentially being moved at the deadline, Jon Heyman gave McMahon a 10% chance of being dealt. In doing so, Heyman also ruled out the Cubs as being an interested team.

"They rarely trade anyone significant. The Cubs seem set now with rookie Matt Shaw emerging," Heyman opined for the New York Post.

The Ryan McMahon rumor is over for the Chicago Cubs

Given Shaw's re-emergence, it's difficult to see the Cubs making an aggressive move to improve the position-player side of their roster. Short of looking for improvements over Jon Berti or Vidal Bruján on the bench, the Cubs are set with their position players barring injury.

The plan is for the Cubs to look to improve their pitching staff ahead of the deadline. Adding another starting pitcher at the top of their rotation must be the priority for the Cubs, and providing the bullpen with another high-leverage option needs to be in the consideration as well.