Spring training this year is going to have a different cadence for the Cubs’ Matt Shaw this year.
He’s set to slide into a superutility role, after the Cubs signed veteran third baseman Alex Bregman last week.
“Of course, you’re kind of looking at it like, ‘Oh man, where am I going to play?’” Shaw said Friday at Cubs Convention. “And you get a little anxious about those things. Because the team knows me good enough at this point to know I just want to be prepared when the season comes around.”
Shaw applauded the team’s transparency with him in the aftermath. He’s expected to move around the diamond and also play outfield, which will be a focus this spring. And as a capable infielder, he will give manager Craig Counsell flexibility to rest his regulars more frequently.
“His transition to third showed that he can do it,” Counsell said of switching positions. “Now, this is the outfield. I think moving an infielder to the outfield is a little easier than the other way around. I think Matt’s shown that he’s a very good athlete.”
Shaw was primarily a middle infielder before debuting last season at third base. He last played outfield in collegiate summer ball in 2021.
“It’s going to be a unique year, for sure,” he said. “But something that I definitely look forward to.”
Shaw could also take a wide view of Bregman’s signing.
“Obviously it shows that the Cubs are wanting to compete for a championship,” he said. “We had a great year last year, we had a lot of great pieces. And then you add Bregman, and you look at this team up and down, and we’re in an amazing spot.”
Hoerner trade rumors
Bregan’s addition and Shaw’s ability to move around the field also fueled reports of other teams’ interest in second Nico Hoerner.
“It’s just a part of being close to free agency and not having a trade clause,” Hoerner said Friday. “But we’re in a media [market] that is a huge benefit to us as players. We play in a big market, we get to have an incredible fan base and people that care. And other stuff that comes with it is passion about what the team is going to look like this year and in the future, and so it’s part of it.”
When Hoerner signed his three-year extension in 2023, he said the two sides could revisit talks. Is that something he’s still interested in doing?
“Like usual, extension- or contract-related things are going to remain internal,” he said. “But I love playing for the Cubs. I think that was evident in signing a deal initially, and hopefully evident just in how I approach the game and the gratitude of being here and playing in front of these fans. So, so excited for this season and the roster that we have going into this year, and that being the absolute main focus, and things falling in line from there.”
Waiver wire
The Cubs added to their 40-man position-player depth this week by claiming center fielder Justin Dean and infielder Ben Cowles off waivers.
Dean, 29, made his major-league debut for the Dodgers last year. Primarily serving as a pinch runner and defensive replacement, he appeared in 18 regular-season and 13 postseason games but logged just two plate appearances.
Cowles returns to the organization after a brief stint with the White Sox. The Cubs originally acquired him in July 2024 as part of the trade that sent reliever Mark Leiter Jr. to the Yankees. The Cubs designated Cowles for assignment at the beginning of September.
Front office promotions
The Cubs announced this week that they had promoted Garrett Chiado, formerly the director of pro strategy, to assistant general manager. In his new role, he will oversee pro acquisitions.
They also announced two other baseball operations promotions. Ben Martin has been elevated to assistant director of major-league development, and Brad Moylan has been named coordinator of major-league video and technology.