Brewers rumors: MLB insider floats Brewers-Cubs trade that should never happen

The 2026 trade deadline is merely six weeks away, meaning it's time for the usually cautious Milwaukee Brewers to begin laying the groundwork for a few deals. Blockbusters have rarely been their specialty, but this year's team is clearly a top three team in the National League, alongside the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves, and needs a little more juice to overcome the hurdle that is the National League Championship Series.

Thankfully, ESPN's Jeff Passan laid out a few "best fits" for the Brewers in his annual trade chip rankings, highlighting a few blockbuster opportunities in Tarik Skubal, Sandy Alcantara, Casey Mize, and Sonny Gray. He even tossed a few nods to some position player targets in Matt Chapman (unlikely given the contract) and Jo Adell (unlikely given Luis Lara's recent extension).

It was the final player he connected to the Brewers, though, that will cause a few jaws around these parts to drop: Chicago Cubs utility man Matt Shaw.

Potential Brewers-Cubs Matt Shaw trade is too complicated to happen

In fairness to Shaw, the former top prospect has been more consistent at the plate this year compared to his wonky rookie debut. His 105 wRC+ makes him an above-average hitter, and he's added a ton of defensive versatility to his repertoire after finishing as a Gold Glove finalist at third base last year. As a pre-arb, under-25 player who won't reach free agency until after 2031, there's a lot of value associated with Shaw.

But, I mean, come on. We all saw him flail helplessly during last year's NLDS, a series in which he posted a subpar batting line despite drawing a ridiculous 33.3% walk rate. Wouldn't we all be better off watching him continue to frustrate Cubs fans for the next half-decade?

Even if you think his profile is valuable enough to pursue, consider that the Brewers have a host of logjams around their roster that Shaw would only further complicate. Cooper Pratt is now in the big leagues, and he and Brice Turang are locked in at the middle infield positions for the foreseeable future. That does leave third base as a giant question mark... until you remember that Jesús Made, Luis Pena, and Jett Williams are all on their way as well.

The outfield, which Shaw has been learning to play this year, doesn't offer any solutions either. You can pencil in Jackson Chourio and Luis Lara for left and center field, respectively, for the rest of the decade. Garrett Mitchell and Sal Frelick will almost certainly share duties in right field.

Even Shaw's newfound utility role wouldn't do much good in Milwaukee. Jett Williams is poised to fill that role eventually, and depth has never been the Brewers' problem. He's just not a player who would be worth the cost in a trade.

And, of course, all of this ignores the major elephant in the room: The Cubs and Brewers aren't agreeing to a blockbuster deal these days. Whatever shopping the Crew decide to do at the deadline, it's safe to assume they won't be perusing the aisles in the North Side of Chicago.

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