Matt Shaw and the never-ending third base issue for the Chicago Cubs

During my almost 60 years as a Chicago Cubs fan, there have been many periods of time when third base has been a problem area for the Cubs. Going into the 2025 season, rookie Matt Shaw had the inside track for the third base job, but a strained oblique injury clouded the situation. However, it seems like Shaw's injury shouldn't derail his progress.

Back to a little history of the Cubs' third basemen.

During the '60s, the third base was manned by Hall-of-Famer Ron Santo. Times were good. Santo was traded to the White Sox before the 1974 season and Bill Madlock was acquired in a trade with the Rangers for Fergie Jenkins. Madlock manned the post for three seasons before being shipped off to the Giants for Bobby Murcer. After that, things were somewhat sketchy.

A look at the Cubs' third basemen post-Madlock includes some old stars winding up their careers, including Ron Cey, Steve Buechele, and Gary Gaetti. Other names from that time frame include Vance Law, Steve Ontiveros, Kevin Orie, and Jose Hernandez.

While some of those guys did a fair job with the Cubs, generally speaking, third base wasn't a position strength. Let's fast forward to 2000-20024.

Willie Greene and beyond

Does anybody remember Willie Greene? He was with the Cubs in 2000 and was out of MLB after that. For his one season with the Cubs, he hit 10 home runs and put up a WAR of 0.3. Maybe that's why he's not memorable.

The 2001 and 2002 seasons saw Ron Coomer and Bill Mueller man the hot corner for the Cubs. Neither put in a particular performance. While really good in the radio booth, Coomer put a WAR of -0.3. Mueller was somewhat better with a WAR of 1.8 in large part because of being a better defender.

Aramais Ramirez and stability

When the Cubs heisted Aramis Ramirez and Kenny Lofton from the Pirates in 2003, it was one of the best trades in franchise history. Ramirez provided excellent production from the third base position from 2003-2011.

While Ramirez wasn't a great gloveman, he was a power bat and a big RBI guy. Ramirez had three 30+ home run seasons, and four 100+ campaigns.

A placeholder, then a star

After Ramirez departed for the Brewers, the late Luis Valbuena held the third base post for three years. Valbuena's production wasn't great, though he put up a WAR of 2.5, powered in part by 16 homers in 2014. After that, the Golden Child arrived.

The much-anticipated arrival of Kris Bryant took place in 2015. Though Bryant's departure wasn't great, in retrospect, his production was even better than we may have remembered. Of course, his tenure in Chicago was highlighted by an MVP award in 2016. And there was the World Series that same season. Sadly, it was downhill after 2016.

Bryant was with the Cubs until her was traded to the Giants in 2021.

Things have been tough at the hot corner in recent years

David Bote was the primary Cubs' third baseman in 2020. For some reason, Bote was able to wrangle a five-year, $15 million contract from the Cubs. Intelligent spending?

Patrick Wisdom was the main man at third during the 2021-22. Wisdom did provide the occasional home run, but he managed to parlay a hot streak in the early 2021 into a longer than necessary run with the Cubs.

Nick Madrigal and his particular set of skills played third for the Cubs in 2023. That set of skills didn't include the ability to stay on the field.

2024 was the year of the Morel. Christopher Morel to be precise. And it proved to be no more productive than the Bote, Wisdom, and Madrigal years. The mid-year addition of Isaac Paredes provided no relief.

While uncertainty surrounds the Cubs third base position this season, I'm guessing they wil get more production out of it than in recent seasons, even of Matt Shaw isn't Ron Santo, Aramis Ramirez or Khris Bryant.

The recent bar just isn't that high.