MESA, Ariz. — Matt Shaw’s process for getting acclimated to playing in the outfield already involved some help from his Chicago Cubs teammate.
Ian Happ understands the challenge of being an infielder-turned-outfielder after he fully made the transition in 2020. He wants to be a resource for Shaw as the 24-year-old gets acclimated. When Shaw asked him whether he should get a 14 1/2-inch glove length for his outfield mitt, Happ informed him that size doesn’t exist.
“So, that was helpful,” Shaw said with a smile.
After being relayed the anecdote Shaw shared, Happ quipped, “It’s the little things, you know?” Happ credited Ben Zobrist for helping him adjust to playing outfield, especially with breaking down the practice side of it when trying to juggle multiple positions. He expects to have conversations with Shaw during camp to work through how to juggle a super utility role.
“The experience of being in and out and not knowing when your opportunities are going to come, just talking about the little things from a work perspective,” Happ said. “You want to go and do a bunch of things in the outfield and be the best outfielder you can be, but Ben Zobrist was really good with me about it’s not necessarily about making the flashy plays, it’s about doing all the little things right.”
Shaw believes the biggest challenge will be to balance getting work in at five different positions while making sure he stays healthy and in shape.
“It feels just so unique, it’s really different,” Shaw said. “I think it’s really hard to go outfield to infield, but infield to outfield, it feels like I’m kind of a kid again, running around, catching balls, diving and stuff, so it’s a lot of fun.”
Impending free agents focused on 2026
There is an understanding within the Cubs’ clubhouse, especially among the veterans, that there’s a good possibility 2026 is the last season for the core group.
While seven key Cubs are entering the final year of their contracts, the focus remains on coming together for another successful season and a deep run in October.
“Every player’s got a situation, and, frankly, if you’re at the point where you’re in a free-agent year, things have gone pretty well for you,” manager Craig Counsell said Monday. “This team, it’s now, and it’s be present in what you have the opportunity to accomplish with your friends, with your teammates, with guys that you’ve gone through maybe some different times with, that’s a real opportunity. That opportunity is really special. We should be wanting to grab that, and I don’t think we’ve got time to worry about (contracts).”
Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki said Monday they hadn’t had any extension talks with the front office. Nico Hoerner declined to discuss anything related to contract negotiations but expressed excitement at being part of this group.
“I’m grateful to be in this locker room right now, for sure,” Hoerner said. “The cool part is that we all do share a pretty amazing opportunity for this season. I think that’s going to be something here a lot of guys talk about, there’s plenty of guys on their last year here. And that’s also an opportunity, though, because we’ve been fortunate to play as a group for a while and it creates excitement.
“You don’t get to share a locker room with guys in a consistent core a lot in the big leagues.”
Cubs sign veteran reliever Shelby Miller
The Cubs added veteran right-hander Shelby Miller on Sunday by signing the 35-year-old to a two-year deal worth $2.5 million with a club option for 2028.
Miller isn’t expected to help the Cubs this season. He underwent Tommy John surgery in October, the second time he’s had the procedure in his career, and will likely be out the entire 2025 season.
“A signing for the future, this year is very much in question, obviously, and it would be fast for this year so this is about next year primarily,” manager Craig Counsell said. “But you’re open to seeing how the rehab goes and see what happens there.”
Miller posted a 1.98 ERA in 37 games last year for the Arizona Diamondbacks but struggled following a trade deadline deal to Milwaukee, where he owned a 5.59 ERA in 11 outings before requiring surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).
Two players still impacted by visa delays
The Cubs’ first full-squad workout did not include two players who are still waiting for their visa issues to be resolved.
Catchers Moisés Ballesteros (Venezuela) and Christian Bethancourt (Panama) remain absent as their visa delays continue. Counsell didn’t sound optimistic about either player joining them soon, estimating their arrival in Arizona this upcoming weekend at the earliest. Counsell said he’s had some phone conversations with Ballesteros, but that there’s not much to be done other than letting the process play out.
Chairman Tom Ricketts is not too concerned about Ballesteros’ and Bethancourt’s visa issues quite yet.
“It seems like every year there’s always a couple guys who are having a little trouble moving back and forth,” Ricketts said. “We have good people on it, so I’m sure we’ll solve it.”