Matt Shaw Will Have His Versatility Tested in 2026

With the addition of Alex Bregman this winter, exactly how the Chicago Cubs will deploy Matt Shaw in 2026 remains a bit unclear.

That’s not a big issue right now, considering the Cubs are barely more than a week into spring training. Their first spring training game is today, but Opening Day isn’t until March 26. There’s still plenty of time for manager Craig Counsell to figure out how he wants to fit the pieces into his lineup puzzle.

However, it’s worth examining how the guy who entered last season as Chicago’s top prospect and finished as a Gold Glove finalist at third base — despite an up-and-down season at the plate — fits in.

Bregman (third base), Nico Hoerner (second base) and Dansby Swanson (shortstop) occupy the positions Shaw has played in the pros. He’ll have to show his versatility isn’t limited to transitioning to the hot corner.

Shaw understands the benefits of being versatile. Even going back to Cubs Convention 2024, as he discussed spending that offseason taking loads of reps at third, he spoke in general about why versatility is important.

“You never know where the opportunities are gonna come,” Shaw said then. “They could be anywhere. They could be in the outfield. So, just being all around, being able to play any position. I listened to Nico the other day, he said something about how valuable it is that he was able to do that.

“He was someone who could play outfield, play third, play short, play second, really play anywhere. So you look at guys like that that are in the organization that have been really successful, and you’re like, ‘OK, that makes sense. That’s the type of guy they want,’ and so you want to be that guy.”

Shaw’s opportunities ultimately came at third base, but Bregman’s addition changes things. Where will playing time for the 24-year-old come now? Here’s how things seem to be shaking out.

Shaw as the Top Backup Infielder

Shaw is a long-time infielder, and Counsell likely views him as the main backup to the three aforementioned spots.

He’s got plenty of experience at those positions. Though most of his big league and even minor league time has been spent at third, he’s still played enough second and short. If a need arises, he should be able to provide capable defense.

That would especially be true at third base, since, again, Shaw was a Gold Glove finalist in 2025. He would be the main backup there. His defense would likely be up to par if the Cubs need him to fill in at second base, too.

Of course, the top backup for Swanson at shortstop would be Hoerner, who showed he could handle that spot back in 2022. Should he have to move to the other side of the diamond, that’s another scenario where Shaw takes over second.

If both Swanson and Hoerner had to sit, as Chicago’s roster is currently constructed, Shaw likely slots in. It’d then be up to him to prove he can handle shortstop in the big leagues.

Injuries aren’t the only way Shaw can get time in the infield, though.

Counsell finds spots to rest his players, helping them get through the 162-game marathon and into October. That infield trio might not necessarily be keen on giving up playing time to Shaw, and they’ve proven to be pretty durable players who can get through most of a campaign:

• Before an injury limited him to 114 games last season, Bregman hadn’t played fewer than 145 in a season since 2021.

• Swanson has played in at least 90% of his team’s games in each of the last six years.

• From 2023 to ’25, Hoerner has played in no fewer than 150 games each season.

Still, that’s how Counsell operates. He certainly wants to win every game, but he also keeps the long haul in mind. That’ll likely mean he gets those three off their feet here and there — which then opens up playing time for Shaw.

Outfield Experiment

Shaw hasn’t touched the outfield in pro ball. He did get some time there during his college days, but not after 2021.

His experience is so limited, he told reporters in Mesa, Ariz., earlier this week that he asked Ian Happ about getting a glove with a length of “14.5 or something” for the outfield — only for Happ to inform him that it doesn’t exist.

Yet, as they look for more opportunities to get him in the lineup, the Cubs will test Shaw out as an outfielder.

Shaw probably has the athleticism and instincts to play outfield. He may just need a bunch of reps to get acclimated. Chicago does have some other internal outfield options, including some veterans in camp on minor league deals, but there appear to be opportunities out there for Shaw.

Kevin Alcántara, if he makes the Opening Day roster, is more likely to directly back up Pete Crow-Armstrong in center. But Shaw could help give Happ or Seiya Suzuki a breather in the corner outfield spots.

That, at least, was the idea before The Score’s Bruce Levine spoke on the situation Tuesday: