Cubs trade rumor on .728 OPS former top prospect would be bittersweet ending

Cubs trade rumor on .728 OPS former top prospect would be bittersweet ending originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Cubs have a ton of reasons to believe in their World Series chances during the 2026 MLB season. Their offense is great, and the defense might be the best in baseball.

But, there is one area of the roster that is cause for concern: the starting rotation. With Cade Horton done for the year, and Matthew Boyd and Justin Steele dealing with some unlucky injuries, adding another ace-level pitcher is a must.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale shared a trade rumor for the Cubs when it comes to their starting pitching need, and it involved a player the Cubs might not want to part with.

"The Chicago Cubs, who are seeking a front-line starter at the trade deadline, may have no choice but to move infielder Matt Shaw, who's blocked at third base by Alex Bregman and second base by Nico Hoerner," Nightengale reports.

If the Cubs were to actually use Matt Shaw in a trade for a new starting pitcher, it would be a bittersweet ending to Shaw's time in Chicago.

Cubs trading Matt Shaw for SP help would be a bittersweet move

Trading Shaw, who's .728 OPS this season, is a good bit better than his .690 OPS last year, would be a tough decision for the Cubs.

He's played some outfield as well as infield in his career in the Majors, as the 24-year-old doesn't have a clear path to playing time.

That makes him a very reasonable trade chip for the Cubs. While losing him would sting, if he could bring back someone like Sandy Alcantara, then moving on from him would be worth it.

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Moving on from Shaw should only be done for a starting pitcher who is either one of the best in the game or is under club control beyond the 2026 season. A rental who's a mid-tier starter would be a mistake to trade Shaw for.

But if someone like Alcantara, Tarik Skubal, or Jose Soriano were to be made available, a big swing for one of those starters using Shaw would make a lot of sense.

It would not be a surprise if the Cubs were forced to part with Shaw this year to add elite pitching talent, and while it'd be sad to see him go, the return could be the difference between a World Series title in 2026 and a missed bid for the title.