Cubs 3B Matt Shaw

I think there’s a good chance we see Matt Shaw with the Cubs in Miami this week. Maybe as soon as tonight.

Consider:

1.) Shaw was scheduled to start for the Iowa Cubs yesterday before being a late scratch. No injury reported.

2.) Shaw has been on an absurd level of fire.

3.) Cubs GM Carter Hawkins talks Shaw up:

4.) Craig Counsell conceded that it’s possible Shaw is coming:

Add it all up, and it sure feels like the Cubs were making plans to get Matt Shaw back to the big league team this week.

Shaw, 23, is the Cubs’ top positional prospect, and has shown the ability to play capable defense at third base after settling in there for the first time in his career. He’s hitting .286/.409/.560/150 wRC+ through 110 plate appearances at Iowa, a stint that came after he struggled to open the season as the big league team’s regular third baseman.

Ultimately, the Cubs don’t need Shaw to be an impact bat at third base for his presence to represent a significant upgrade over what they’ve gotten so far from the position. Anything remotely close to average offensively, with solid defense, is going to be a big addition to the roster. And now that he’s pretty clearly settled into a groove at Iowa, there’s little reason not to take the chance – it likely helps the big league team, and also feels appropriate for his development.

As far as the roster is concerned, the only member of the bench who can be freely optioned is Moises Ballesteros. Of course, with Ian Happ (oblique) due back this week, too, the Cubs are going to have to make an additional move no matter what. And unless there’s another injury, that could mean losing someone from the bench permanently.