For better or worse, Chicago Cubs rookie third baseman Matt Shaw will always be connected to Cam Smith. When the Cubs traded for Kyle Tucker last offseason, the impression was that the Astros wanted one of Smith or Shaw. With Shaw in line to be the Cubs' Opening Day third baseman, it made sense why Smith was the prize prospect in the deal.
Smith not only made the Astros' Opening Day roster, but for most of the season, it looked like the Cubs made a mistake in giving up their 2024 first-round pick instead of Shaw.