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Cubs Reportedly Calling Teams to Find Matt Shaw's Replacement Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 1:10 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are expected to make moves during the deadline, and one of them might be replacing Matt Shaw. When Shaw was demoted to Triple-A a few months ago, the idea was for him to eventually come back and figure things out. Instead, Shaw has struggled drastically, getting just four hits in his last 10 games.

Holding a .215 batting average, it's tough to continue allowing the 23-year-old to struggle at the level he has.

While the Cubs need to give Shaw a real chance to compete at the big league level, Chicago is in a position to win a World Series right now. If the Cubs want to be the team they're looking to be, they can't afford for Shaw to continue giving them what he has, which has quite literally been nothing.

However, according to a recent report from Northside Baseball's Matthew Trueblood, the Cubs want to improve their roster and possibly replace him. Trueblood reported that the Cubs have contacted the Athletics and the Minnesota Twins for multiple players.

“In a survey of their needs and chances to address them, the Cubs have made calls about players who would shore up their weaknesses on the bench and in the infield rotation, sources said this week. Two trade candidates on their radar are third baseman Luis Urías, of the West Sacramento Athletics, and utility man Willi Castro, of the Twins, and the Cubs have touched base with each of those teams this month,” he wrote.

Willi Castro would be an interesting player to pursue, but he isn't perfect by any means. Throughout the year, he's impressed, hitting .278 with seven home runs.

It's been the best season of his career, which is a bit worrisome, but he played at a decent level last season, too, earning an All-Star nod. With a 124 OPS+, there's reason to believe he could be a decent fit in Chicago.

He's a second baseman and shortstop, but it's possible that he'd be willing to move over to third base to solve some of the Cubs' issues.

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

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