The Chicago Cubs made early-season headlines when their extension of second baseman Nico Hoerner hit the news, seemingly out of nowhere.
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The deal for Hoerner is a nice, fat one—befitting one a player of his caliber deserves, actually. The elite-level contact-hitter and Gold Glove middle infielder will get $141 million over six years, with deferred money factoring into the equation.
The deal will keep him in Chicago through the 2032 season and ensure that that the Dansby Swanson-Hoerner double play tandem stays together at least through 2029, when Swanson’s contract runs out.
This is good news for the Cubs and for Cubs fans. Hoerner has proven his worth with the team over the years and, last year, he was an absolute spark plug for Chicago, especially in the latter part of the season and through the playoffs, where he hit .419 in eight games.
But Hoerner’s deal to stay in Chicago is not great news for everyone.
Bad news for Matt Shaw
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Matt Shaw has to be a bit troubled by the team’s decision.
The Cubs’ 2023 no. 1 draft pick came through the farm system as a bat-first prospect, but was nudged towards the third base and second base positions because of big league roster needs. He landed his first major league gig last season as the team’s starting third baseman.
The Cubs, then, of course, acquired third baseman Alex Bregman. Shaw was moved from the hot corner and made a utility man. The thought, however, was that the 24-year-old was being kept around as insurance in case Hoerner opted to explore free agency.
Now, that second base plan is off the table.
Shaw will get playing time as the backup third baseman and second baseman. He’s also getting a shot at the outfield and first base.
Right now, he’s playing right field as a replacement for the injured Seiya Suzuki, but Suzuki will be coming back fairly soon. When the Japanese star is back in his spot, Shaw will go right back to the bench, playing a little bit of everywhere.
“Honestly, it’s been a lot of fun,” Shaw told reporters earlier in the spring. “It feels like Little League, playing a bunch of different positions and moving around. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
This player-without-a-position thing might not be so fun and enjoyable, though, as Shaw further faces the reality that there may be no spot for him on the roster, at least not as a full-time starter.
Shaw’s only spot may be corner outfield
That’s why the pressure is on to look as good as he can in right field while he’s being given the playing time. Suzuki and left fielder Ian Happ are both eligible for free agency after the end of the season and the Cubs may not hold on to either.
Shaw’s best chance to wedge himself into a starting position in Chicago is at a corner outfield spot next season if the Cubs don’t bring back Suzuki and/or Happ. Other than that, barring major injury to Bregman or Hoerner, Shaw’s Cubs future may be as a utility man or, more likely, as trade bait for more pitching.
For now, Shaw is getting his shot in right. His Opening Day performance was solid, although he did misjudge one wind-swatted fly ball a bit before recovering to make the catch. Whatever the case, one wouldn’t blame him for feeling added stress these days.
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