Matt Shaw could fuel the Cubs' response to devastating Cade Horton injury news

Matt Shaw became the subject of rampant Chicago Cubs trade rumors toward the end of the offseason, considering the arrival of Alex Bregman unseated him as the team's starting third baseman. Shaw has primarily been used as a right fielder at the start of the season, but Seiya Suzuki's return on Friday should push him back to a super-utility role. In the aftermath of the Cade Horton injury and the Cubs confirming he will be out for the rest of the season, it seems inevitable that trade rumors will resurface.

While the Cubs did explore a potential Shaw trade with the Boston Red Sox, it never felt like spring training was going to be the time that Jed Hoyer and Co. pulled the trigger on a deal. Shaw may have been pushed out of the starting lineup, but the Cubs weren't going to move him for the mere purpose of moving him. If nothing else, Shaw's versatility can be an underrated element to the Cubs' success this season.

Long-term, though, Shaw's role on the Cubs isn't so clear. The starting infield will be in place through the 2029 season, and it's too early to determine if he can be an option to replace one of Ian Happ or Seiya Suzuki in the outfield next season. At some point, Shaw's trade value may exceed his role on the Cubs.

Matt Shaw's role as a trade ship now had added meaning for the Cubs.

As it turns out, Horton's injury could push Shaw closer to having a new team by the end of the season. As the Cubs were mapping out their starting rotation during the offseason, the intent seemed to be to have four pitchers capable of starting in a playoff series.

Initially, those four starting pitchers were penciled to be Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Edward Cabrera, and Justin Steele. Jameson Taillon was an anchor for the Cubs' rotation last October, but chances are he would have been pushed to a role in the bullpen (or Game 5 starter). In theory, Taillon now takes the final spot of a four-man playoff rotation, but it would seem likely that the Cubs will be in the market for a higher-end option at the deadline.

If that's the case, Shaw is going to be one of the most valuable trade chips the Cubs have. While they may not be eager to move their former first-round pick, the reality is he is expendable if it means the Cubs would be able to address a massive void in the rotation.