Cubs’ Short-Term Matt Shaw Replacement Could Already Be In Their Sights
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The Chicago Cubs have seemingly gone all-in for this season, and it’s working out quite well so far. With expiring players like Kyle Tucker being new additions to the roster, the Cubs have one of the best teams in baseball.
But the trade for Tucker saw the Cubs trade away their top two third basemen: Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith.
Top prospect Matt Shaw has struggled tremendously this season, and it’s left a massive hole at the hot corner in the Windy City.
Aldo Soto of FanSided recently suggested the Cubs could fill the void at third base by trading for Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Eugenio Suárez this season.
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“It would be a bold move, but trading for Eugenio Suárez and having him replace Shaw at third base would take this Cubs’ lineup to another stratosphere. So far in 2025, Cubs’ third basemen have combined to hit .198/.269/.261, resulting in a league-worst 55 wRC+,” Soto wrote. “Shaw currently has a .596 OPS and has been trending the wrong way the entire month of June, posting a .478 OPS in his last 80 plate appearances.
“Suárez is a free agent after 2025, but getting him is the ultimate all-in move for the Cubs this season. Is he truly necessary for this roster? Not exactly, but his power bat would provide more than enough backup for any of the other top hitters who go through slumps. Suárez already has 25 home runs in 78 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he’d be a nightmare for opposing pitchers batting behind Tucker and Seiya Suzuki in the heart of the lineup.”
Suárez is in the middle of a career year right now and could benefit even more from playing in a loaded Cubs lineup.
The slugger is on an expiring contract, which would match up perfectly with Chicago’s championship window.
Shaw will likely be much more prepared to play at the big league level every day next season, so if Suárez can come to Chicago and help the team win now while Shaw continues to develop for the future, the team will be much better off in the present and in the future.
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