*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[David Freshman1982]

Error yes. But not the easiest play since he was playing in and miss-judged the bounce. Not much time to react.

It's easy to forget that Shaw is pretty inexperienced at third- 18 games in college and 89 games in the miniors. The first year where the majority of his starts were at 3rd was 2024, but he still started about half his games at 2nd/SS.

The problem is that it doesn't look like he can hit. Cubs had two guys under their control last year that can play 3B and hit, and they traded both of them away for Tucker. I sure hope they re-sign Tuck, because both Paredes and Smith are posting 800-ish OPS while the guy the Cubs insisted on keeping is posting Neifi Perez-level numbers. Very discouraging. Now the Cubs will need to spend one of their best remaining prospects (Caissie or Alcantara) to try and pry Suarez away from Arizona.

 

[TClone99]

Statcast has him in the 4th percentile for Hard-Hit percentage.

Yeah his peripherals have been quite dreadful all year with a slight uptick just recently. I think the org still believes his bat will come around. PCA was horrible offensively when he first came up. These guys typically need ABs to adjust to this level.

 

[HoustonClone]

The problem is that it doesn't look like he can hit. Cubs had two guys under their control last year that can play 3B and hit, and they traded both of them away for Tucker. I sure hope they re-sign Tuck, because both Paredes and Smith are posting 800-ish OPS while the guy the Cubs insisted on keeping is posting Neifi Perez-level numbers. Very discouraging. Now the Cubs will need to spend one of their best remaining prospects (Caissie or Alcantara) to try and pry Suarez away from Arizona.

Way too early to determine that Shaw can/cannot hit. The most recent example is PCA last year....took a bit to find his footing, and he's still finding it. Shaw has hit well at every level, so patience is a virtue here.

Regarding keeping Tucker, I'm with you on the need to re-sign him due to what they gave up, but I still think Shaw can/will be the answer at third.

 

[Cyforce]

If Shaw can start to hit at least decent he’s going to be a really good player. Already fairly elite defensively. Only 23. I’m not worried about him.

But if you can rent Suarez this year for let’s say Caissie I think you have to do it.

If you can go
Happ
Tucker
Suzuki
PCA
Suarez
Busch
Kelly
Swanson
Hoerner
OMG!

 

[isucy86]

The problem is that it doesn't look like he can hit. Cubs had two guys under their control last year that can play 3B and hit, and they traded both of them away for Tucker. I sure hope they re-sign Tuck, because both Paredes and Smith are posting 800-ish OPS while the guy the Cubs insisted on keeping is posting Neifi Perez-level numbers. Very discouraging. Now the Cubs will need to spend one of their best remaining prospects (Caissie or Alcantara) to try and pry Suarez away from Arizona.

Based on Smith playing RF for the Astros, have my doubts he would have played 3B for the Chicago Cubs. But his bat was impressive last weekend and if the Cubs aren't aggressive in signing Tucker, that was a horrible trade by the Cubs FO.

Paredes had the chance to play his way into the Cubs 3B of the future during the 2nd half of the 2024 season and he didn't do it at the plate or defensively. Playing in Houston is probably the best place for his approach at the plate among all 30 MLB teams.

To consider Shaw a disappointment after 50 games in Chicago seems an over reaction. If he hasn't proved himself by the end of 2026, then its time to move on. IMO there are under the radar utility infielders the Cubs can acquire by the trade deadline and platoon at 3B with Shaw for the balance of 2025. If the Cubs are going to use their top prospects in a trade, it needs to be for a solid starting pitcher with a high SO rate.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

The problem is that it doesn't look like he can hit. Cubs had two guys under their control last year that can play 3B and hit, and they traded both of them away for Tucker. I sure hope they re-sign Tuck, because both Paredes and Smith are posting 800-ish OPS while the guy the Cubs insisted on keeping is posting Neifi Perez-level numbers. Very discouraging. Now the Cubs will need to spend one of their best remaining prospects (Caissie or Alcantara) to try and pry Suarez away from Arizona.

Smith was at least a year away from being able to play 3B in the majors, if he ever gets there at all. Nowhere near the athlete/defender Shaw is and that's why the Astros made him the right fielder in the easiest right field to play in the league.

 

[RoseClone]

Looks like Cleveland will now have a different starting pitcher tonight:

And they are going with a lefty which is no surprise.

 

[NazClone]

And another strikeout for Swanson.

 

[CycloneErik]

"Free game" on MLB seems debatable.

 

[NazClone]

Marquee is 20 bucks a month.

 

[FerShizzle]

"Free game" on MLB seems debatable.

I’d really like to be a baseball fan and watch my favorite team play, but holy **** has baseball made it hard to watch certain teams.

 

[CycloneErik]

I’d really like to be a baseball fan and watch my favorite team play, but holy **** has baseball made it hard to watch certain teams.

For real. We're not talking about some obscure team with a tiny fanbase here, either.

 

[JP4CY]

I’d really like to be a baseball fan and watch my favorite team play, but holy **** has baseball made it hard to watch certain teams.

Especially in Iowa.

 

[FerShizzle]

For real. We're not talking about some obscure team with a tiny fanbase here, either.

The Cubs have clearly forgotten that the WGN days and everyday eyeballs are the reason they have a giant fanbase.

 

[FerShizzle]

Especially in Iowa.

It’s ******* comical that we are somehow in their blackout. It’s counter to what Tv and ad dollars would want. This game would be highly viewed in central Iowa, but instead we are watching a different channel.

Not to mention we can also get blacked out for royal, white Sox, cardinals, twins, and brewers. It’s asinine.

 

[NazClone]

I live in Iowa and I see every game.

 

[David Freshman1982]

I’m lucky in this regard, I’m in KC so I just buy the MLB app package and I get all the games. Like you though with the Cubs, I get blocked on the Royals home games.

 

[BigJCy]

2 hits thru 6...Woof

 

[CYdTracked]

But if you can rent Suarez this year for let’s say Caissie I think you have to do it.

If you can go
Happ
Tucker
Suzuki
PCA
Suarez
Busch
Kelly
Swanson
Hoerner
OMG!

I'd be fully onboard with trading Caissie for Suarez. Shaw may be the future at 3B if he can figure out hitting at the MLB level but you don't trade what you did for Tucker and be in the spot they are in right now not to go all in at the deadline and make an upgrade that could be a difference maker in the lineup. Especially if they are able to resign Tucker there is not an everyday OF spot open until 2027 when Happ and Suzuki are free agents plus I think Alcantara has a higher ceiling for potential too.

 

[BigJCy]

Lately when Shaw actually does make hard contact it's right at someone. He can't catch a break.