🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
The Chicago Cubs have surged to a first-place standing in the National League Central division as several offseason roster moves pay dividends.
The team has enjoyed great returns from its trade to land slugging outfielder Kyle Tucker. And Pete Crow-Armstrong and Carson Kelly are rewarding the Cubs for their faith as well. But at least one key roster spot has been harder to fill with a definitive answer.
After opening the season in Japan with top-ranked prospect Matt Shaw at third base, the Cubs quickly demoted the young infielder after a less-than-stellar debut. Shaw proceeded to remind the team why they brought him up in the first place by once again dominating minor-league pitching and now the Cubs will bring him back up.
"Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw is indeed coming up to the Cubs," as Jon Heyman reported on X. "Shaw killed it in Iowa and rounds out (a) terrific lineup."
But with Shaw joining the big-league club once again, the Cubs will have to shed something from the roster.
Even with Shaw in the minors, the team had several options at the hot corner, including Jon Berti, Justin Turner, Vidal Bruján and Nicky Lopez. And Heyman added that Lopez has found himself as the odd man out in that mix.
"Cubs will try to trade defensive specialist Nicky Lopez, who didn't travel with the team to Miami," per Heyman.
Lopez joined the Cubs after opening the season with the Los Angeles Angels. In just 18 at-bats so far this season with Chicago, he has logged a single hit and three strikeouts. It's not clear that the Cubs can accrue any significant value by trading away Lopez, but without a clear spot on their roster, it makes sense for the team to try.
More MLB: Giants Get Unfortunate Justin Verlander Injury Update As Velocity Dips
