This was more fan speculation than anything else, but following the Kyle Tucker trade that included Isaac Paredes going to the Houston Astros there were some fans who were trying to move Michael Busch from first base to third. In this scenario, the Cubs could keep Cody Bellinger in the lineup at first base, while Tucker starts in right field and Seiya Suzuki continues to be the DH.
Well, the Cubs put any thought of Busch moving off first base to bed on Tuesday, when Jed Hoyer addressed the media following the Tucker trade. Busch, who started 130 games at first base for the Cubs in 2024, ended the year playing gold glove caliber defense after making giant strides defensively throughout the season.
It was rough during April, but Busch erased any concerns about his playability at first and the Cubs have no plans to move him around. Coupled with that, we also found out that the Cubs are planning to give top prospect Matt Shaw a real chance to win the starting job at third base.
Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw will get "long look" at 3B, Hoyer said: "He has to earn that job, I'm not going to gift him that on a conference call in the middle of Dec."
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) December 17, 2024
Michael Busch does not sound like 3B option. Hoyer said they see him as a Gold Glove 1B & that's their focus.
So yeah, now that Paredes is gone the Cubs are looking at Shaw as their primary option (as of now) at third base, while Busch will be the regular starter at first base. Sure, in a pinch Busch could fill in at third base and at second base, where he’s had a few starts between his time with the Cubs and Dodgers, but the Cubs think highly of his defense at first base, so it doesn’t make any sense to move him out of the position.
Now, while Shaw has a great opportunity to step in and take over at third, Hoyer did say the team is indeed seeking another option for the hot corner. At the very least, it would create some competition for Shaw and provide some insurance on the bench.
One last note that also plays into Busch at first base, Bellinger is going to be traded. I mean, sure the Cubs could spread out playing time and make it work, but it’s becoming clear that the team is determined to trade him this offseason.
