His entire value is in skills that will decline as he ages. Let someone else pay him for that.
*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter Cyforce
- Start date
Why would Matt Shaw want to be a utility player at the age of 24? You can put super in front of it, but that's just putting lipstick on a pig. If I'm Shaw, I'm pretty disappointed in the Cubs organization if they presented that plan to me. And I don't think it sends a good message to other young players, that the Cubs organization values it's minor league talent.
Point #2 is evidence that stats can lie! Adding up all the games played by those backups is meaningless. And to include Turner's # is completely misleading, no way is Shaw going to play 1B. And I would be very skeptical he would play spot OF (Castro). Shaw had 437 PA in 2025 and he would struggle to get 300 PA as a utility player.
I don't understand the "elite FA" status of Bregman. He's 32 YO and is basically a .260 BA/25 HR hitter. Whereas, Shaw projects to be .260+ BA and 20-25 HR hitter at a fraction of the price. AND IMO Shaw has much, much more upside if one looks at the next 3-4 years. Shaw will be 24-27 YO during those seasons vs. Bregman will be 32-35.
I like Bichette more than Bregman, but only if the Cubs are willing to trade Nico Hoerner (who is FA after 2026).
As crazy as it sounds, giving Cody Bellinger a 3-4 year deal makes a lot of sense in 2026. He's a better defender than Suzuki. He can also play some 1B. His batting metrics over the 2023-2025 seasons is better than Bregman or Bichette. And with Happ and Suzuki both being FA after the 2026 season, having Bellnger on a mult-year deal adds stability.
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Don't disagree that Nico is a great hitter. But Nico is a FA after the 2026 season and what are the chances the Cubs keep him? I doubt money will be an issue as FA second baseman don't typically make more than $15M AAV. It may be more about, does Nico want to spend the next 4-5 years in Chicago?
Completely agree Bregman and Ballestareos give you a better net than Bellinger and Shaw. We all saw the potential All be it inconsistent Shaw has but Ballestareos is the type of bat ( short compact explosive) that definitely has a higher floor. Plus having Shaw as your super utility gives you a solid backup at three positions. Sign Bellinger and we’re likely going with Traintos as utility and Mo at AAA because Suzuki gets all the DH.
Why is Bregman a better bat than Bellinger? Based on last 3 years:
- Bregman: BA .264 & 161 Extra base hits
- Bellinger: BA .281 & 159 Extra base hits (on 50 fewer at bats)
If Ballesteros is a stud, then the Cubs should stand pat on hitters and go with Shaw at 3B and Ballesteros as full-time DH.
I would certainly hope this FO isn’t putting Matt Shaw (or anyone else’s) feelings above making the team better.
In the case of Bregman, Shaw will still get more PT than a typical bench player.
Ben Zobrist was a super utility and I’m sure most teams would’ve been clamoring for a guy like him.
Tv
Even our small market FO disagrees with you about standing pat.
The difference between Bregman and Bellinger may be marginal but Bellesteros is a better option in the lineup over Shaw.. Shaw would hit ninety in our current lineup. Mo Baller seventh.
Not challenging you because I don't really know but when did BZ become a utility player? Always? Late in his career?
If this was the days of no DH in the NL then this conversation is much different. Nothing against Shaw but if you can add an impact bat and he has to spend a year as a utility guy its not a bad thing. Let's say it's Bregman, that means if they cant resign Nico then Shaw is the 2B in 2027. Shaw and Mo are not sure things yet, Bregman Bichette Bellinger all are proven commodities over several seasons while Shaw and Mo are small sample sizes. If the goal is to compete in 2026 you have to add proven talent even if if it may push out some of your young less proven guys.
Totally fair - He came through the Rays system purely as a SS.
He played in only 83 games, all of which were at SS in the MLB in 2006 and 2007. He was not performing, so the Rays traded their cost controlled OF Delmon Young to the Twins for the Twins cost-controlled SS Jason Bartlett, who was coming off a 4.5 WAR season, which killed any shot of Zobrist playing SS in the near future.
The following season, Zobrist was 27 and kind of in a figure it out or the MLB might not be for you situation. He played in 62 games at 6 different positions.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
