Is Matt Shaw's Future at Third Base in Jeopardy? That's the question on every Cubs fan's mind as rumors swirl about the team's pursuit of high-profile third basemen. But here's where it gets controversial: Jed Hoyer, the Cubs' president of baseball operations, insists there's 'zero lack of confidence' in Shaw, despite reports linking the team to Alex Bregman, Eugenio Suárez, and even Japanese infielders Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto.
Let's break it down. The Cubs have been heavily connected to Bregman, with reports suggesting they've been in talks with his agent, Scott Boras. And this is the part most people miss: while Bregman is a proven star, Okamoto might be a better fit for the Cubs' needs. However, Hoyer's recent comments seem to downplay these rumors, stating, 'I’ve been surprised by the number of media reports that link us to different guys... There is zero lack of confidence in Matt. I would say the opposite.'
So, what's really going on? Some believe Hoyer is simply playing it cool, perhaps even baiting Boras. Others, like ESPN's Jesse Rogers, take Hoyer at his word, suggesting the Cubs aren't seriously pursuing Bregman or Suárez. Instead, they might focus on bolstering their pitching rotation with names like Zac Gallen, Michael King, or Tatsuya Imai.
But here's the catch: signing a big-name pitcher like Gallen or King would likely rule out a major position-player acquisition due to budget constraints. Bregman, for instance, is rumored to be seeking an average annual value of $30 million, which would push the Cubs close to the luxury tax threshold.
However, if more conservative salary projections are accurate, there might be room for maneuver. Signing a combination of Imai and a mid-tier pitcher could leave space for a position player addition, with Rob Refsnyder being a potential value pick. Alternatively, Hoyer could opt for a pitching-heavy approach, pairing two American pitchers for around $38 million annually, leaving some wiggle room for other moves.
Here's where it gets really interesting: even if the Cubs were to sign Bregman, it doesn't necessarily mean they've lost faith in Shaw. Bregman could displace Shaw at third base initially, but with Nico Hoerner's contract expiring soon, Shaw could eventually slide into second base. Or, perhaps Bregman, despite his Gold Glove, might not be an elite third baseman long-term, allowing Shaw to reclaim the position.
Of course, all of this is speculation. What do you think? Is Hoyer genuinely confident in Shaw, or is he hedging his bets? Are the Cubs serious about Bregman, or is it all just smoke and mirrors? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. The Winter Meetings are always a time for speculation and excitement, and this offseason is shaping up to be no different. It's like a giant puzzle, and we're all trying to figure out how the pieces fit together – even if some of those pieces seem a little far-fetched.
