Rumors surrounding the Chicago Cubs have been rather quiet as of late. The team has been connected to Zac Gallen a few times, but that still feels like a stretch. If a big move is made before Spring Training begins, it feels like it will be a trade involving either Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw.
On Friday, Rob Bradford of WEEI mentioned Shaw as a name to watch for the Red Sox as they continue their search for a second baseman.
“I look at Matt Shaw.”
As the Red Sox explore remaining options on the market, @bradfo has his eyes on the 24-year-old power-hitting third baseman. pic.twitter.com/Zz2RoUDHUo
— Jones & Keefe (@JonesandKeefe) January 29, 2026
More discussion regarding the two teams was sparked on Saturday after Alex Speier of the Boston Globe said that the Red Sox have checked in on both Hoerner and Shaw. This is not new information, but it is always important to keep tabs on the opposing team’s media and what they report to the public.
The Red Sox have checked in on both Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw and the Cubs haven’t shut it down, per @alexspeier.
“According to sources, the Cubs have been open to conversations on both, and the Sox are among the many teams that have checked in about the two players.” pic.twitter.com/e8UniwwjI7
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) January 31, 2026
In that same article, Speier went on to say that the Red Sox “are prioritizing defense (with solid on-base ability) ahead of power.” Both Hoerner and Shaw fit that mold very well. Hoerner has won two Gold Gloves and is considered one of the best defenders in baseball. Shaw was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award at third base last year, surprising many with his performance at the hot corner.
The two names that keep coming up in terms of a return for a Cubs infielder are Connelly Early and Payton Tolle. Bradford mentioned both of those names when discussing Shaw on Friday, adding yet another report connecting them to the Cubs. It is getting to the point where I sound like a broken record when discussing these two pitchers, but there has been little else to talk about lately in terms of rumors surrounding the Cubs. One of the only scenarios in which it would make sense for the Cubs to trade an infielder is if they receive controllable starting pitching in return.
As it stands, trading Hoerner to the Red Sox, or anyone for that matter, does not seem realistic. He is one of the most valuable players in baseball and a crucial part of the locker room and team culture. His contract is set to expire after the 2026 season, which complicates things, but that does not mean the Cubs should move him before a season in which they are expected to make a push for the World Series.
Trading away Shaw is not a guarantee either. He has a lot of team control at a low price, which is appealing to any organization. If the Cubs do not extend Hoerner, they will need Shaw to fill that role beginning next season.
His .839 OPS after the All-Star break showed that he has the potential to carry his minor league success into the majors, though it is understandable that some teams have doubts about his future production. Nonetheless, his college and minor league resume reflects someone who can flat-out hit, something that became apparent again after he made adjustments to his mechanics at last year’s All-Star break.
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Unless Craig Breslow and the Red Sox address their second base issue elsewhere, these rumors will not go away. However, this feels like a situation both teams would prefer to have resolved by the start of Spring Training. Whether that means the first workout or the first game, they have only a few weeks to get something done, or Breslow will be forced to look elsewhere for an infielder to solidify his lineup.
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