Matt

Shaw

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand adds that the deal is for $2 million and includes $1.3 million in performance based incentives. The 35-year-old speedster was hurt most of last year with the Yankees as a lingering calf issue limited him to just 25 games before being non-tendered back in late November. He’ll head to Chicago as a versatile bench option and could wind up being a temporary placeholder at the hot corner if the club decides in spring training top prospect Matt Shaw isn’t ready for the limelight.

The Cubs have been linked to free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, but it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be a fit. The expectation has been all along that top prospect Matt Shaw would get the opportunity to win the job in spring training and Hoyer didn’t say anything to dispel that on Friday. The Red Sox, Tigers and Blue Jays are the teams that still seem to be in the mix for Bregman.

"[Shaw] has to earn that job,” said Hoyer. “I’m not going to gift him that on a conference call in the middle of December.” Shaw shook off a frosty start last season to solidify his status as one of the top prospects in the entire fantasy landscape, batting .284/.379/.488 with 21 homers and 31 steals in 523 plate appearances last year between Triple-A Iowa and Double-A Tennessee. The 23-year-old, who has a relatively clear path to emerge as Chicago’s starting third baseman after the club jettisoned Isaac Paredes last week in the Kyle Tucker blockbuster, projects an immediate multi-category impact fantasy contributor and is looking like a prime late-round target in drafts, especially deeper mixed leagues.

Shaw took former big leaguer Logan Allen deep for his first round-tripper in nine games since being promoted earlier this month to Triple-A. The 22-year-old top prospect, who was selected 13th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, offers real five-category appeal for fantasy managers once he reaches the big leagues, thanks to his strong all-around skillset. He pairs strong plate skills with a power/speed combination that is likely to make him a hit once he gets to Wrigley Field.

Shaw, who was selected 13th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, is on the precipice of breaking into the majors after batting .279/.373/.468 woth 14 homers and 25 steals across 371 plate appearances this season for Double-A Tennessee. The 22-year-old middle infielder projects as a potential five-category impact fantasy contributor and is one of the better fantasy prospects in the game at this juncture.

There are a ton of notable prospects in the latest batch of cuts from Cubs camp, including Shaw, Caissie, Brown and Alcántara. However, the headliner here is Crow-Armstrong, who figured to open the season as Chicago’s starting center fielder. The 21-year-old defensive virtuoso figures to be up shortly, but his roster spot will likely go to Mike Tauchman, who is out of options this spring. Shaw and Caissie are among the top prospects in the organization and figure to make an impact for fantasy managers once they get a shot, which could happen in a few months.

“You never know where the opportunities are going to come,” added Shaw. “They could be anywhere.” The extra defensive flexibility figures to come in hand as the Cubs have arguably the best defensive middle infield tandem in the game with Dansby Swanson and Nico Horner at shortstop and second base, respectively. The 13th overall selection in last June’s MLB Draft out of the University of Maryland, Shaw batted a siblime .357/.400/.618 with eight homers and 15 steals in 170 plate appearances across three levels in Chicago’s system, finishing his professional debut at Double-A Tennessee. The 22-year-old is one of the most intriguing keeper and dynasty prospects to emerge from last year’s draft class and might get a shot in Chicago sooner than originally anticipated, especially if he keeps tearing the cover off the ball in the upper minors.

According to Keith Law of The Athletic, Shaw receives a $4.85 million signing bonus — which is the full slot value for the 13th overall selection in the draft. The 21-year-old played shortstop at Maryland, but is expected to move to second base with the Cubs due to his below-average throwing arm.

While Shaw is on the smaller side at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he does pack some serious punch. He broke Maryland’s program record for home runs this year and was one of the best players in the Cape Cod League last summer. Shaw is an advanced hitter who walks more than he strikes out at the moment and has the ability to drive the ball to all fields with a more closed-off stance in the batter’s box. He should be able to stick on the left side of the infield as he is an adequate shortstop but with the Cubs already having Dansby Swanson at shortstop, he could easily shift to second base.