Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer emphasized the team's strong belief in rookie third baseman Matt Shaw heading into the 2026 season, downplaying rumors linking the club to free agents like Alex Bregman. Shaw showed significant improvement in the second half of 2025 after an early demotion, posting an .839 OPS and earning National League Gold Glove finalist honors. While the Cubs prioritize pitching upgrades this offseason, Hoyer indicated no urgent need to pursue external options at third base.
At the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Hoyer addressed speculation about adding a veteran third baseman, noting surprise at the volume of reports connecting Chicago to players like Bregman, who signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox last February before opting out. 'There’s zero lack of confidence in Matt. Actually, I would say the opposite,' Hoyer said, highlighting Shaw's defensive prowess and late-season offensive surge.
Shaw, the Cubs' 2023 first-round pick, endured a rocky start to his rookie year, hitting .226 with a .556 OPS in the first half across 63 games. Demoted to Triple-A Iowa in late April, he returned in May slashing .359 with a .906 OPS over his first 11 games back. Post-All-Star break, Shaw exploded for 11 of his 13 home runs, 21 doubles, 44 RBIs, 17 steals, and a .839 OPS in 63 games, boosting his full-season line to .226/.690 OPS. Defensively, he recorded 12 Defensive Runs Saved, making him a Gold Glove finalist.
Hoyer acknowledged Shaw's early struggles as typical for rookies but praised his resilience. 'His downs were pretty down, but learning how to smooth that out is key,' Hoyer said, expecting gradual improvement. While not ruling out future moves—potentially using Shaw as a versatile infielder—Hoyer stressed the team's focus on pitching amid rumors of losing outfielder Kyle Tucker to free agency.
Shaw's second-half turnaround offers optimism for 2026, positioning him as Chicago's everyday third baseman unless a high-impact opportunity arises.