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Cubs Showing Interest in Division Rival Defensive Wizard Ahead of Trade Deadline

Jul 20, 2025 3:45 PM EDT

The Chicago Cubs’ offense continues to fire on all cylinders this season. Kyle Tucker is putting up MVP numbers, while Seiya Suzuki has already surpassed career highs in home runs and RBIs. Their efforts have helped propel the Cubs to FanGraph’s number-one ranked offense and the highest offensive WAR of any offense in baseball.

The success makes it hard to believe they could search for further upgrades at the trade deadline. However, the lack of production from third baseman Matt Shaw (.208/.283/.302) and unreliable infield depth is forcing President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer to make calls around the league, including to an in-division rival.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs are one of three teams to have “checked in on” Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.

Nightengale did not elaborate on the level of interest Chicago has in Hayes. Yet, the report indicates how serious the Cubs are about going all-in amid a tight NL Central race.

Hayes, 28, would be a minor offensive upgrade to Shaw, if basing it strictly on batting average and RBIs. Hayes is hitting .237 this season, a 19-point upgrade, and has driven 17 more runs than Shaw. Hayes also has no power output in his game, hitting just two home runs in 334 at-bats.

The one area where Hayes is miles ahead of Shaw is defense. According to FanGraphs, Shaw has a 1.6 defensive WAR, whereas Hayes has a 12.2 defensive WAR – the highest among all third basemen. If Chicago were to make a deal for the Pirates’ third basemen, his role already seems established as a fringe starter with some upside or a late-game defensive replacement.

One aspect of a potential acquisition for Hayes that could halt talks is the four years remaining on his contract. Albeit cheap, Chicago may not want to commit $30 million to a subpar offensive role player whose only contribution to the team is a defensive substitution beyond the seventh inning.

As the trade deadline approaches, Hoyer and the Cubs are already searching for rotational improvements. But to separate themselves from postseason contenders to World Series favorite, they should leave no stone unturned. Hayes may not represent their marquee move, but in situational baseball, he could be a smart add at the deadline.