Cubs Called Trade Fit for 98-HR Slugger at Position of Uncertainty

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3 days ago

Cubs Called Trade Fit for 98-HR Slugger at Position of Uncertainty originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Third base has been a weak spot for the Chicago Cubs in 2025, despite the mild resurgence of top prospect Matt Shaw in recent weeks.
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Since being called back up in mid-May, Shaw has raised his MLB batting average from .172 up to .250. The 23-year-old third baseman has also knocked in 3 RBI over that span, with 13 total hits and 5 doubles.
Notably, Shaw has stolen 5 bases and scored 6 runs since his most recent promotion, with 3 walks compared to 7 strikeouts.
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada launches a home run at Angel Stadium in 2025.Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Although Shaw, a former No. 13 overall pick, has calmed concerns surrounding the disastrous start to his major league career, the Cubs cannot be certain that he'll keep his average up and his strikeouts down.
On that note, CBS Sports staff writer R.J. Anderson suggested a potential solution for Chicago at third base, should Shaw falter again. That player is veteran slugger Yoan Moncada, the current starting third baseman of the Los Angeles Angels.
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"It's to be seen if the Angels fall far enough from the race to consider selling off pieces," Anderson acknowledged. "I'm including Moncada here because I'm skeptical about Los Angeles' chances (based both on their roster and their run differential)."
"[Moncada is] having a heck of a rebound season," the MLB writer continued, noting that the veteran slugger is "hitting the ball hard and on a line while drawing his share of walks."
Anderson identified the Cubs as a trade "fit" for Moncada, if he's moved, along with the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees.
Moncada signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Angels this offseason, so he'd make for a simple rental from a financial standpoint.
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Having just turned 30 years old on May 27, Moncada is batting .228 with 5 home runs and 18 RBI. He'd provide more pop than Shaw, despite a slightly lower on-base percentage (.333 compared to Shaw's .343) and less speed.
Moncada has launched 98 home runs throughout his MLB career, tallying 357 RBI and 163 doubles. He has a career batting average of .253, along with a cumulative on-base percentage of .331 and an OPS of .757.
Related: Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong Breaks Silence on Unfortunate Timeline for Contract Extension
Related: Jed Hoyer Reveals Cubs' Plans for MLB Trade Deadline
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.