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Cubs Linked to Rockies’ All-Star Amid Hot Corner Concerns

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 1:30 PM ET

Despite having the league’s best offense, the Chicago Cubs' lack of production at third base is becoming a problem. The Cubs may view Matt Shaw as the third baseman of the future, but right now, he is borderline unplayable. Through 66 games, the 23-year-old is slashing .210/.285/.304 with just two home runs and 16 RBIs. His performance is a key reason Chicago’s third basemen rank as the second-worst unit in the league, according to FanGraphs.

The hole at the hot corner is forcing Cubs’ President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer to reevaluate the position, and according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, Chicago would “love” to acquire Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies.

McMahon, 30, is not known for his bat despite playing at Coors Field. The left-hander is hitting .218 with 15 home runs and 32 RBIs. While the numbers do not jump off the page, it is an improvement from what Shaw is delivering with everyday at-bats.

One area where McMahon can provide a massive upgrade for Chicago is defense. McMahon ranks second among third basemen with 6.1 WAR. Acquiring McMahon would not only give the Cubs a more legitimate bat at the hot corner but move Shaw to the bench and deepen their depth in return.

There is one factor that may deter the Cubs from swinging a trade for McMahon. Hoyer is in the final year of his contract, and McMahon has over $32 million left on his deal. If Chicago’s brass is not fully committed to Hoyer’s future with the organization, they may veto any agreement for any non-rental players and end all discussions about adding McMahon at the deadline.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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