{"id":60295,"date":"2025-06-08T13:46:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T13:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=60295"},"modified":"2025-06-08T13:46:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T13:46:18","slug":"matt-shaw-completes-an-already-dangerous-cubs-lineup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=60295","title":{"rendered":"Matt Shaw completes an already dangerous Cubs lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

<\/p>\n

The potential search for a third baseman on the trade market for Chicago Cubs team president Jed Hoyer and his front office. In an era when third basemen aren\u2019t as productive as years past, prying any good ones away from teams, contenders or not, would have been difficult and come at a high cost.<\/p>\n

The Cubs always saw Matt Shaw as the best-case solution to their hole at third. Whether he could actually produce was the only question worth asking. From the time Shaw was sent to the minors on April 14 to when he arrived back on May 19, Cubs third basemen posted a 38 wRC+ with just four doubles in 105 plate appearances.<\/p>\n

Before Friday\u2019s 3-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers, in 59 plate appearances since his return, Shaw had a 132 wRC+ with six doubles. Then, against the best pitcher in baseball, Tarik Skubal, Shaw went 2-for-3 with another double.<\/p>\n

Where once there was a revolving door at third, Shaw has taken a great lineup and solidified its one weak spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re dangerous right now,\u201d Craig Counsell, Cubs manager, said. \u201cWhat you always want is \u2014 they say, \u2018length,\u2019 which really just means you have a lot of players who are capable of changing the game and doing something to help on a daily basis. I think that\u2019s what we have.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Shaw was sent down to the minors, he was tasked with making some mechanical adjustments \u2014 he\u2019s more upright in his stance\u00a0\u2014\u00a0and worked to rebuild his confidence. Shaw said the mechanical adjustments didn\u2019t take long to become second nature.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s himself offensively right now,\u201d Counsell said. \u201cThat\u2019s the biggest positive. He needed the reset. He did a good job with his time, our staff did a good job with his time in Iowa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaw has always been known for his ability to hit the ball hard and on a line. In his first stint in the big leagues, he had a line-drive rate of 20.5% and a hard-hit rate of 12.5%. That led to a 63 wRC+ and a very uncharacteristic 26.5% strikeout rate. This time, the line-drive rate has jumped to 23.9% and the hard contact is at 26.1%. His strikeout rate is back to a more Shaw-like 15.3%.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to see those results,\u201d Shaw said. \u201cEven when they\u2019re catching it, I\u2019m spinning the ball better, hitting more flyballs, hitting balls harder. It feels like baseball\u2019s always felt for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those early struggles took a mental toll on a player who has had very few slumps in his professional career. Seeing the results over the last few weeks has him believing he belongs.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust mentally I needed to get back in a position where I\u2019m on time,\u201d Shaw said. \u201cGet on top of the baseball. I just feel like myself again. Realizing that I can be myself and play here in the big leagues, it\u2019s exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s exciting for anyone watching the Cubs is that this offense feels complete. There are no weak spots in the lineup. This is a group that can handle a slump from one key player because someone else will step up.<\/p>\n

Having so much talent, whether it\u2019s a veteran like Kyle Tucker or an emerging star like Pete Crow-Armstrong, means there\u2019s very little pressure on Shaw to perform. Just go out there and be yourself. The rest will take care of itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to perform no matter what,\u201d Shaw said. \u201cI want to be a great contributor to this lineup. Every day I\u2019m trying to put together better at-bats and continue to grow. I feel very blessed to be in a great lineup. We\u2019re winning games and putting together amazing at-bats one through nine. Being in a great lineup is a lot of fun. You can see that watching us play, we\u2019re having a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

In one of his first days back in the big leagues, Shaw had a question for veteran Justin Turner: \u201cWhen did it go from feeling like the big leagues to just baseball?\u201d There can be an overwhelming nature for athletes when reaching the highest level. The pressure is intense, the need to perform is high. Failure could mean you might be sent packing.<\/p>\n

Shaw allowed that feeling to overwhelm him once before. Now he\u2019s at peace with his failures. In fact, he has learned from them. In doing so, he has become the third baseman the Cubs so desperately needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how I\u2019m starting to feel,\u201d Shaw said. \u201cI\u2019m realizing this is just baseball.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a9 2025 The Athletic Media Company. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by New York Times Licensing.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Matt<\/p>\n

Chicago Cubs’ Matt Shaw gestures after reaching second base on an infield single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jess Rapfogel) AP<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The potential search for a third baseman on the trade market for Chicago Cubs team president Jed Hoyer and his front office. 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