It sure sounds like Nicky Lopez will be the odd man out upon Matt Shaw's return

With clues first emerging on Sunday afternoon that Matt Shaw could be on his way back to the Major League level, the Chicago Cubs had a corresponding roster move to debate.

As Shaw had been refining his approach with the Iowa Cubs, the Cubs, at the Major League level, have gone with a revolving door of veterans at third base. The case included Nicky Lopez, Jon Berti, and Vidal Bruján. Short of an injury, it was going to be one of those three players who found themselves off the roster once Shaw's return was made official.

While the official word hasn't come from the Cubs yet, Jon Heyman reported on Monday morning that the Cubs are looking to trade Nicky Lopez before making Shaw's recall official.

When the Cubs designated Gage Workman for assingment earlier this season, Lopez, who spent Spring Training with the organization, returned to the team on a Major League deal. Chances are the Cubs had to float a Major League deal to Lopez in order to ensure he didn't take an offer elsewhere.

While Lopez was the best fielder that the Cubs had at third base while Shaw was back in Triple-A, his offensive numbers proved why he couldn't be in the lineup on a regular basis. Lopez had 2 hits in 22 plate appearances with the Cubs this season. Given the circumstances of Berti and Bruján's roster spots, one signing a Major League deal in the offseason and the other being acquired via trade, Lopez was presumptively the odd man out. Bruján also gives the Cubs added speed off the bench while Berti can play in the outfield. Two things that wouldn't be found in Lopez's role on the bench.

Shaw will once again be given a runway to be the Cubs' answer at third base. If there are struggles in the short term, perhaps the Cubs will shift their focus to a trade. But for now, the focus is on Shaw at third base.