The Chicago Cubs have emerged as the clear winners of the Alex Bregman sweepstakes, finalizing a blockbuster five year, 175 million dollar agreement that instantly reshapes the balance of power within the National League Central.

When paired with the recent trade for right handed starter Edward Cabrera, the Cubs’ aggressive offseason approach signals a franchise fully committed to winning now, with the explicit goal of capturing their first division title since 2017.

Bregman’s arrival cements third base for the foreseeable future, providing Chicago with a veteran cornerstone who brings postseason experience, offensive stability, and elite defensive instincts at a premium position.

However, this signing also triggers a ripple effect across the Cubs’ infield, most notably impacting young infielder Matt Shaw, who now finds himself without a clear path to everyday playing time.

Shaw spent the 2025 season as Chicago’s primary third baseman after the organization traded Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith to the Houston Astros in the high profile Kyle Tucker deal.

Originally developed as a middle infielder, Shaw transitioned to the hot corner out of necessity rather than long term design, handling the role competently while continuing to refine his offensive approach.

With Bregman now entrenched at third base, Shaw’s positional flexibility becomes both an asset and a complication, particularly given the current construction of the Cubs’ infield.

Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Michael Busch occupy the remaining three infield positions, and all three players started at least 155 games during the 2025 season.

That level of durability and consistency makes it highly unlikely that Chicago would shift to a heavy rotation model or deploy Shaw as a full time super utility infielder.

As a result, the Cubs now face a genuine infield logjam, one that forces difficult decisions about roster optimization, player development, and long term organizational priorities.

At the center of that dilemma lies second base, where Nico Hoerner’s presence presents both tremendous value and a potential opportunity to reshape the roster.

The Cubs must now decide whether to demote or trade a young, controllable talent in Shaw, or move on from a franchise stalwart in Hoerner who has been central to their recent success.

That choice will speak volumes about Chicago’s strategic direction, revealing whether the front office prioritizes maximizing the immediate competitive window or sustaining success over the next half decade.

From a market standpoint, this offseason represents the optimal time for the Cubs to consider selling high on Hoerner’s value.

Hoerner is entering the final year of a three year extension he signed in 2023, and his 12 million dollar salary for the 2026 season remains one of the best bargains in baseball.

Selected 24th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Stanford University, Hoerner quickly established himself as one of the organization’s most reliable homegrown players.

He made his major league debut just one year after being drafted, showcasing advanced defensive instincts and a polished approach that belied his limited professional experience.

While Hoerner initially came up as a shortstop, he has spent the majority of his career at second base, where his range, footwork, and arm strength have flourished.

Since 2023, Hoerner and Dansby Swanson have formed arguably the best defensive middle infield pairing in Major League Baseball.

Their chemistry has elevated Chicago’s run prevention, turning routine ground balls into outs and providing pitchers with confidence to attack the strike zone aggressively.

Over the past three seasons, Hoerner ranks second in Wins Above Replacement among second basemen, trailing only Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte.

Unlike Marte, Hoerner does not rely on elite power, instead generating value through elite defense, efficient baserunning, and consistent contact at the plate.

His resume includes two Gold Glove Awards at second base, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most dependable defenders at the position.

Although Hoerner is not an elite offensive force, his bat remains comfortably above replacement level, particularly when paired with his defensive contributions.

The 2025 season marked the best offensive campaign of Hoerner’s career, as he posted a .297 .345 .394 slash line with a 114 OPS plus.

He narrowly edged Marte in FanGraphs WAR that year, finishing with a 4.8 mark compared to Marte’s 4.6, further underscoring his all around impact.

That performance arrives at an ideal time for Chicago if they choose to explore the trade market, as teams are increasingly valuing middle infield defense and contact oriented hitters.

With Bo Bichette expected to command a massive long term contract this offseason, Hoerner represents a more affordable alternative for clubs seeking an upgrade up the middle.

His contract structure also makes him appealing to smaller market teams, as acquiring Hoerner would not require the same long term financial commitment.

Additionally, a team trading for Hoerner would retain the option to extend him or issue a qualifying offer following the 2026 season, further enhancing his value.

From Chicago’s perspective, moving Hoerner could allow the organization to extract meaningful long term assets while opening second base for Matt Shaw.

Shaw, still early in his development curve, offers upside and team control that aligns well with a longer competitive horizon.

Sliding Shaw into second base on a permanent basis could provide Chicago with a younger, cheaper infield core while reallocating resources elsewhere.

Of course, such a move would come at the cost of leadership, stability, and elite defense that Hoerner has provided for years.

That emotional and competitive trade off is precisely what makes this decision potentially franchise defining.

As for potential trade destinations, the most logical suitors for Hoerner are teams that missed out on Ketel Marte.

The Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays were all heavily linked to Marte and remain in need of middle infield upgrades.

The San Francisco Giants could also emerge as a dark horse candidate, given their ongoing search for stability and leadership in the infield.

For those teams, Hoerner offers many of the same benefits as Marte at a fraction of the cost, albeit without the same offensive ceiling.

Because Hoerner is under contract for only one more season, the acquisition cost in terms of prospects would be significantly lower.

That balance of affordability, performance, and flexibility makes him an especially attractive target in the current market environment.

Ultimately, the Cubs’ handling of this situation will reveal how aggressively they are willing to push their chips to the center of the table.

With Alex Bregman anchoring third base and Edward Cabrera bolstering the rotation, Chicago has clearly chosen to contend in the immediate future.

Whether that commitment extends to reshaping the infield around younger pieces or doubling down on proven veterans remains the central question.

One way or another, the Cubs’ next move will not merely resolve a roster logjam, but help define the direction of the franchise for years to come.