The Chicago Cubs have made several significant moves over the past few days. These moves signal that the front office is serious about taking the next step in 2025. Many wondered how Jed Hoyer and the Cubs’ brass would respond this offseason. This curiosity arose after the team was eliminated from the playoffs by the Milwaukee Brewers last season. They had won 92 games.
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With Kyle Tucker expected to test free agency and likely land elsewhere, the Cubs wasted little time reshaping their roster. Chicago made a notable trade to bolster their starting rotation just days ago. They struck again, the Chicago Cubs signed Alex Bregman late Saturday night.
Between the trade for Edward Cabrera and the addition of Alex Bregman, the Cubs have dramatically upgraded their roster. Chicago finished second in the NL Central in 2024 with a 92–70 record. These moves suggest they’re aiming higher in 2025.
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Bregman Brings Impact Bat and Elite Defense to Chicago
Bregman spent the 2024 season with the Boston Red Sox. He appeared in 114 games while dealing with a lingering hamstring injury. Despite the setback, he remained a productive force at the plate. Bregman posted 64 runs, 28 doubles, 18 home runs, and 62 RBIs, finishing the season with a .273 batting average, .821 OPS, and 3.5 WAR. Defensively, Bregman was a steady presence at third base, starting 113 of his 114 games there. He committed nine errors and finished with a .969 fielding percentage. The Cubs signed Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal, immediately solidifying the hot corner.
On paper, the Chicago Cubs’ infield now looks elite. Adding Bregman alongside Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner significantly enhances Chicago’s defense. This gives them one of the strongest defensive units in baseball. It is a major boost for a pitching staff that is already trending upward. However, Alex Bregman’s arrival creates an immediate roster question—what does this mean for Matt Shaw?
Are the Chicago Cubs Done Making Moves?
With Bregman locked in at third base, Matt Shaw no longer has a clear everyday role. Moisés Ballesteros is expected to handle most of the designated hitter duties. Seiya Suzuki is set to reclaim right field. That leaves Shaw without a natural path to consistent at-bats.
One potential solution is using Shaw as a super-utility player. He could spell Swanson, Hoerner, and Alex Bregman regularly, keeping the infield fresh over the long season. A rotation where Swanson or Hoerner gets a day off every 10 days, with Shaw stepping in, seems realistic. Shaw could also start against left-handed pitching, giving Ballesteros occasional days off.
Another scenario—one that has gained momentum in recent weeks—involves a possible trade of Nico Hoerner. While that move would be unpopular with many fans, it would immediately open every day playing time for Shaw. If the Cubs choose that path, Shaw would likely slide into a starting infield role. He would become a central piece of the lineup. Whether or not that trade materializes, the Cubs’ offseason is far from quiet. With their recent moves, Chicago has positioned itself as a serious contender in the NL Central. It is also a serious contender in the National League in general.
