“He struggled at different times offensively, but I thought he had a long stretch in the middle of the year where he showed what he can be… Defensively, I thought he was exceptional. I think if he plays a full season, he’s probably a Gold Glove finalist.”
— Jed Hoyer, President of Baseball Operations, Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are gearing up for a critical offseason, and one of the most talked-about topics surrounding the team is the future of their third baseman, Matt Shaw. While the Cubs have made it clear that pitching will be their top priority in 2025, the performance of Shaw at third base could ultimately determine whether they stick with him or pursue another option for the hot corner.
Heading into 2025, the Cubs’ lineup is solid, with a strong outfield featuring Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki, alongside their top prospect, Owen Caissie, waiting in the wings. The infield is also in a good position, but third base is undeniably a question mark. Shaw, Chicago’s No. 5 overall prospect in 2024, was the Cubs’ primary third baseman last season, but his overall numbers left something to be desired.
In 2025, Shaw posted a .226 batting average, a .689 OPS, 13 home runs, and 17 stolen bases across 126 games. While his speed was a bright spot, his offensive production didn’t match expectations. Adding to the uncertainty was his defensive performance, which was slightly below average according to Baseball Savant, though he was still a finalist for the 2025 NL Gold Glove Award at third base.
Despite the mixed results, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer remains optimistic about Shaw’s potential. Speaking to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe on November 15, Hoyer expressed confidence in Shaw’s growth over the course of the season.
“He struggled at different times offensively, but I thought he had a long stretch in the middle of the year where he showed what he can be,” Hoyer said. “Defensively, I thought he was exceptional. I think if he plays a full season, he’s probably a Gold Glove finalist. It was fun to watch his improvement as the year went on.”
Hoyer’s comments are a clear indication that the Cubs are not rushing to replace Shaw just yet. While his offense didn’t impress, the improvement he showed in the second half of the season, coupled with his defensive capabilities, seems to have earned him some leeway with the front office.
However, Shaw’s future in Chicago may be far from secure. With the Cubs expected to be active in the offseason market, particularly in pitching, it’s possible they could look to upgrade at third base if Shaw doesn’t continue to show improvement. If he struggles again in 2026, Shaw could find himself on a short leash, as the Cubs may decide they need a more consistent option at the hot corner.
Despite the uncertainty, Hoyer’s backing of Shaw means that the 24-year-old still has the opportunity to prove himself as the long-term answer at third base. If Shaw can build on the flashes of brilliance he showed in 2025, he could be a key piece of the Cubs’ future as they aim to return to contention.
While the Cubs are looking to bolster their pitching staff this offseason, the future of Matt Shaw is a storyline to watch closely. The team has made it clear they’re open to upgrading their lineup if the right opportunity arises, especially in the wake of losing Kyle Tucker to free agency. However, third base might not be an immediate priority unless Shaw’s performance takes a step back in 2026.
For now, Shaw’s improvement—both offensively and defensively—could be enough to give him another shot at securing the position. But if the Cubs decide to explore other options, they’ll have to weigh the potential risk of moving away from a player they once viewed as a key prospect.
“We didn’t play our best tonight, and it’s frustrating. The injuries are piling up, but we can’t let that be an excuse. We’ve got to fight through it, especially when we have a chance to take control. We’ll need to learn from this and be ready for the road trip.”
— Jeremy Swayman, on the Bruins’ frustrating loss to the Hurricanes.
Boston Bruins fans were hoping for another strong performance on Monday night, but instead, their team fell flat in a
The Bruins entered the game already dealing with several key injuries. Elias Lindholm remains sidelined, and both
The turning point came in the
Despite having four power-play opportunities, the Bruins failed to capitalize. They registered just five shots during those man-advantage situations, and
The Bruins pushed hard in the
After the game, Jeremy Swayman voiced his frustration: “We didn’t play our best tonight, and it’s frustrating. The injuries are piling up, but we can’t let that be an excuse. We’ve got to fight through it, especially when we have a chance to take control. We’ll need to learn from this and be ready for the road trip.”
The Bruins will now embark on a four-game road trip, starting with a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night in Southern California. With their injury list growing,