Different faces at third base have been a norm for the Cubs over the last few seasons — eight different players were used last year alone.

Chicago Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw admittedly kept an eye on the team’s free-agent pursuit of third baseman Alex Bregman. A front-runner entering spring training to win the starting job at third, Shaw gained clarity on how his camp might play out after Bregman signed Wednesday night with the Boston Red Sox.

Cubs prospect Matt Shaw is relieved after the team missed out on Alex Bregman, keeping his path to a starting role at third base wide open.

Matt Shaw is the favorite to start at third base for the Chicago Cubs on opening day after Alex Bregman signed with the Boston Red Sox in free agency.

While the Cubs have added some role players who can handle third base, there is no internal option with more upside than Shaw.

Despite hitting a speed bump early in camp with a minor oblique injury, the top prospect Shaw remains on the fast track to be the Cubs opening day starting third baseman. Ryan Baker reports from Cubs spring training in Mesa,

The Chicago Cubs losing out on Alex Bregman to the Boston Red Sox indicates that prospect Matt Shaw will be the Opening Day third baseman in Japan. Shaw was the Cubs’ first round draft choice out of Maryland in 2023 and has quickly soared through the farm system largely in part of how well he swings the bat.