MESA, Ariz. — In the first week of spring training, talk of top Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw’s clear path to win the third base job came with an asterisk.
*Unless the team signs Alex Bregman.
With Bregman reportedly heading to Boston, Shaw was the favorite again Thursday, just in time for the first day of full-squad workouts the next day.
“It’s time for Matt to go out and play,” manager Craig Counsell said this week. “I think Matt’s passed a lot of tests. I think he’s a talented young player. … He is going to get the first shot at it. But it’s still competition, too.”
Shaw, who the Cubs drafted No. 13 overall in 2023, has yet to play in a major-league game. And he’s still developing at third base. The year he was drafted, Shaw won the Brooks Wallace Award, which goes to the most outstanding college shortstop. Last season, he transitioned to playing primarily third base.
“He’s got to this place very quickly,” Counsell said. “And that means some really good things have happened, right? And it also means that he hasn’t played a lot of baseball at some spots, right? So that’s just the situation. All he can control is to go out and have a good day, and that’s what he’s going to keep trying to do.”
Veteran utility player Jon Berti, who the Cubs signed this winter, is a strong backup option — although they would likely prefer to take advantage of his positional flexibility.
The Cubs also have third baseman Gage Workman on the roster after selecting him in the Rule 5 Draft from the Tigers. And utilitymen Vidal Bruján and Nicky Lopez, a non-roster invitee, are expected to be in the mix at third.
None of the players who made starts at third base for the Cubs last year are still in the organization.
Bon voyage, Bregman
The Cubs’ offer to Bregman — for four years and $115 million, sources confirmed — fell well short of the competition.
“It’s one of those deals where you’re interested in a really good player, and someone else got him, and you’re disappointed, and you move on,” Counsell said. “On the field, I think that’s how you have to approach it.”
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said he expects any more moves this spring to be “small things, financially.”
Said Counsell: “I think this is a better group than we’d assembled last year at this time. I think we’re in a good spot. I do think there’s always room to keep doing things and keep improving the roster.”
Live BP
With the Tokyo Series coming up, the Cubs have already started live batting practice sessions. Right-hander Cody Poteet got things started, throwing to hitters Wednesday. Then the schedule Thursday had eight pitchers throwing live: Justin Steele, Colin Rea, Jordan Wicks, Caleb Kilian, Jack Neely, Daniel Palencia, Brad Keller and Brooks Kriske.
