The Chicago Cubs have a few key positional battles that will be intriguing to watch for this spring training.
With most of the Cubs positions filled, there aren’t that many holes that the Cubs need to fill. One of the top battles to watch out for will be for the bench and at third base.
Top prospect Matt Shaw has the inside track at winning the position if he performs well in spring training, and President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer indicated that further.
An internal battle
The Cubs top position to watch for this spring will be third base, where top prospect Matt Shaw will be the top choice to win the position. Shaw, who just turned 23 in November, had a great season between Double and Triple-A last season for the Cubs. In 121 games, Shaw had a slash line of .284/.379/.488 for an OPS of .867. Shaw also had 21 HRs, 19 doubles, and 6 triples to his credit as well.
The Chicago Cubs expect to stay internally for third base, Jed Hoyer says.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 17, 2025
In a recent tweet by USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale, he said that:
“The Chicago Cubs expect to stay internally for third base, Jed Hoyer says. “
The Cubs were supposed to be in on World Series Champion Alex Bregman, with him being reported to be interested in ashort-termm deal, but with this statement, that seems to be no longer a reality.
Other internal options for the Chicago Cubs at the position
The Cubs have a few other options to turn to if Shaw doesn’t take to the position right away or doesn’t produce offensively. Vidal Bruján is one option that the Cubs can turn to. The versatile Bruján can play anywhere in the infield and centerfield, but his knock is he’s never put it fully together at the plate.
Gage Workman, who the Cubs acquired in this year’s Rule 5 Draft, could be a potential platoon partner with Shaw, being he’s left-handed. One of the other Cubs top prospects, James Triantos, could be a useful weapon for the Cubs to turn to, given he has a higher offensive upside than Bruján.
The Cubs still could look to add another veteran infielder who can play the corners to add more depth, but so far the Cubs have a decent set of options. Hopefully Shaw can take off during this spring and be the Cubs starting third baseman for years to come.
Jed Hoyer, The Cubs, Matt Shaw Erie SeaWolves shortstop Gage Workman fields a first-inning ground ball against the Harrisburg Senators at UPMC Park in Erie on April 27, 2024. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK
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