Matt Shaw's future can take multiple paths after Cubs sign Alex Bregman

Signing Alex Bregman registers as one of the biggest moves the Chicago Cubs have made since Jed Hoyer took over baseball operations from Theo Epstein, right up there with the Dansby Swanson signing and Kyle Tucker trade.

The new starting third baseman of the North Siders is a three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, and his tremendous bat, solid glove, and winning mentality should all be huge assets to the franchise as they near the 10-year anniversary of that 2016 championship.

Of course, adding a superstar player isn't without its consequences, and while many will focus on the financial ramifications of giving $35 million per year to a soon-to-be 32-year-old, it's also clear that the Bregman's presence will have some trickle down effects on the rest of the roster. Namely, former top prospect Matt Shaw.

Matt Shaw could be trade bait, but more likely will be positioned as Nico Hoerner's heir apparent

There are a few paths the Cubs could take with Shaw, though given the long-term outlook of the roster, I think one is far more likely than the others.

Starting with the unlikely camp, the Cubs now have five infielders for four spots, plus Moises Ballesteros locked into the starting DH position. That could lead to a trade of one of last year's starters, though that comes with the caveat that Michael Busch, Dansby Swanson, and Bregman are almost assuredly safe.

That leaves Nico Hoerner and Shaw as the most prominent trade candidates, though the Cubs have made it clear that they'd like to keep the former around thanks to his bat-to-ball skills and otherworldly defensive talents.

Keith Law of The Athletic agrees, suggesting that Shaw is now prime trade bait after signing Bregman: "The Cubs now have one infielder too many, and they’re going to end up trading someone. The most obvious candidate is Shaw, whose rookie season was a disappointment at the plate thanks to some frequent mechanical changes and, according to people I’ve spoken to, resistance to help from the Cubs’ staff."

However, trading either Shaw or Hoerner is a very narrow-minded view of what the roster needs. Like most of the veterans on the roster, the incumbent second baseman is due to be a free agent after the 2026 campaign; if the team has no plans to sign him to an extension, they could utilize Shaw in a utility bench role this year before giving him the first crack at taking over for Hoerner in 2027.

That's far from a foolproof plan, of course. Shaw has experience at the keystone, though only 34 games worth in the minor leagues. Plus, his bat is a far cry from the stability Hoerner provides, as his rookie seasons ended with a 93 wRC+ that was impacted by prolonged slumps and a few massive hot streaks.

But unless the team is ready to put all of its eggs in the James Triantos or Jefferson Rojas basket, Shaw is a promising-enough Plan A to replace Hoerner. He's crushed Triple-A pitching in his various stints in Iowa, and his glove improved rapidly as last season wore on.

Adding Bregman for the next half-decade does give the Cubs options when it comes to Shaw's future, but facing an onslaught of potential departures in a year's time, keeping him around feels most aligned with the organization's long-term goals.