An MLB insider reports the Chicago Cubs could target a 28-home run slugger at the trade deadline.
Cubs Could Send Matt Shaw for Eugenio Suárez originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
What do the Chicago Cubs do with Matt Shaw?
The rookie third baseman and former top prospect has struggled through his first 59 MLB games and 198 at-bats. Shaw has a .207 batting average, a .581 OPS, a 69 OPS+, two home runs, 11 stolen bases, and 21 walks to 43 strikeouts.
Shaw has been a respectable defender at third, but he is far from a bona fide Gold Glover or anything in that realm. However, despite the slow start, this is still a highly-regarded talent and, hopefully, a future cornerstone piece for the Cubs.
Should Chicago feel the pressure of Kyle Tucker and Jed Hoyer’s expiring contracts, it could ramp up the aggressiveness and try to ship Shaw for an upgrade, starting pitching, or bullpen support.
Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic had this to say via 670 The Score:
“I think it’s something they would consider (trading for a Shaw upgrade). But, really, the primary upgrade option out there would be a Eugenio Suárez. The Diamondbacks aren’t going to sell until the very last minute… That’s a team that wants to late until the very last moment before they decide on buy or sell.”
The trade market is fluid, but at this time, @sahadevsharma sees Eugenio Suarez as the only 3rd baseman who could be available and would be a clear upgrade over Matt Shaw as the Cubs consider how and where to make upgrades.
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) July 7, 2025
Listen: https://t.co/wpzbVRh65gpic.twitter.com/Pm4EQTUNyL
Suárez has quietly hit over 300 home runs and 900 RBIs over his 12 Big League seasons. The soon-to-be 34-year-old is having another productive slugging season, with a .252 batting average, an .881 OPS, a 139 OPS+, and 28 home runs, albeit a 23:99 BB:K ratio.
Suárez is a minus defender, and the high strikeout rates are cause for concern. But, he would still be a needle mover for Chicago. Even if the Cubs still think Shaw will develop into an All-Star, the priority remains winning and convincing Tucker that this is the best place for him to sign long-term.
There are a lot of moving factors with this potential trade. But if the Diamondbacks falter over the next several weeks, a Shaw-centered package should entice them for Suárez, who is a pending unrestricted free agent.
Related: Cubs Linked to Blockbuster Trade Amid Chase for MLB's Best Record
Related: MLB Insider Believes Cubs Will Have to Overpay for Starting Pitcher
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
