Amidst Alex Bregman rumors, Matt Shaw offers up his preferred position

During an interview with The Setup Man, Chicago Cubs' top prospect Matt Shaw said he is more comfortable playing third base these days.

With the team engulfed in rumors about signing two-time all-star Alex Bregman, it's nice to know Shaw seems mentally capable of handling the hot corner if they miss out on the top free agent. As he told the Setup Man, Shaw has spent the past two offseasons training at third base given the organization's need for depth at the position.

That need became even greater last December when the front office traded Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith to Houston for Kyle Tucker. That deal left Shaw as the most talented third baseman in the Cubs' system, and the logical candidate to take over at the hot corner on a full-time basis in 2025.

Shaw's defensive abilities are the main concern with his game as he vies for his MLB debut since some experts view his arm strength as too fringy to play third base. Second base has always sounded like a better fit for Shaw because of this and his extensive time there in college, but it's encouraging to hear him speak with so much confidence about his game at third. Hopefully, the work will pay off because the Cubs will need him at third if Bregman goes to the Tigers or Red Sox.

Shaw is vital regardless

Even if Bregman signs with Chicago, Shaw seems destined for a full-time gig at Wrigley Field. With Bregman in the fold, second baseman Nico Hoerner is a top candidate to be traded to keep the team's payroll under the first competitive balance tax threshold. In that scenario, Shaw is a no-brainer to take over at second as long as he proves he can handle Major League pitching.

But there is confidence that Shaw will adapt, just as he's done at all levels of the Minor Leagues to this point. His skills at the plate are a big reason he is ranked the 19th best prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, and an early favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year award. Regardless of where he will play, Shaw is going to make an impact for the Cubs in 2025.