Matt Shaw’s Hot Hitting May Prevent Eugenio Suárez Trade
Thanks to the expanded playoff format, more teams have the chance to compete for a spot in the postseason. This leads to more teams declaring themselves buyers rather than sellers at the trade deadline, or at least waiting longer to wave the white flag. As is often the case in simple cause-and-effect situations, the sellers are asking for more in return than usual because of the high demand.
Yankees baseball boss Brian Cashman has already hinted at the high prices, trading for Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario several days before the deadline. The Yankees were a great fit for Eugenio Suárez, but they opted to go for cheaper options instead. Arizona GM Mike Hazen is asking for an expensive return when it comes to Suárez, something a lot of teams are balking at due to the third baseman only being under control for the next few months.
Top-100 prospects are rarely moved at the deadline, especially when the return is a rental, but it’s not out of the question that Suárez nets a top prospect. His 36 home runs are tied for fourth in MLB and he’s hammered right-handed pitching as a righty batter. If a team needs someone to man the hot corner for a playoff push, it would be hard not to look at Suárez and want to pay up.
Rumors started to swirl regarding the Cubs’ interest in acquiring a third baseman at the trade deadline due to Matt Shaw‘s rough first half at the plate. Whether it was someone to replace Shaw for the postseason race or platoon with him, the Cubs had their eye on the market. However, recent development may make spending top-tier prospect capital on the Diamondbacks’ third baseman less of an option.
The Mariners, Phillies, and Reds are among the teams that have shown interest in Suárez, making a bidding war possible. What’s more, Shaw has been the hottest bat in the Cubs’ lineup after getting a much-needed All-Star break and making some adjustments. It may not be sustainable, but his flash of greatness should tell the Cubs they were right about giving him the keys to third base. They did the same thing with Pete Crow-Armstrong, and he figured out the offensive issues.
Matt Shaw has been HOT since the All-Star break 🥵 pic.twitter.com/540sjMvezq
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 27, 2025
The recent surge from Shaw likely won’t stop Jed Hoyer from searching for a third base option on the trade market, but it may steer him away from an expensive asset like Suárez. That could lead the Cubs more towards someone like Twins infielder Willi Castro, who has played at least 26 innings apiece at short, second, third, and all three outfield spots.
