The Chicago Cubs have played well in the early stages of the season, currently sitting at 12-9. However, in a winnable division, the Cubs can't get complacent; they have to do everything in their power to win the division and compete at the highest level come October.
There have been some problems for the Cubs, mainly with the struggles of youngster Matt Shaw, who was recently sent down to Triple-A to get some work in.
Shaw, one of the top prospects in Major League Baseball, was expected to be an elite talent. However, given the significant difference between the big leagues and the minors, it's not surprising that he's struggled.
After sending him down, the Cubs now find themselves in a strange position at third base and could look to make a trade over the next few months to replace him.
In a proposed trade idea from Andrew Wright of Newsweek, they'd do exactly that in the form of Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals.
"It was evident in the offseason that Chicago was in the market for a third baseman, as it was in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes until the very end.
"Arenado will most likely be traded at the trade deadline and with Cubs rookie third baseman Matt Shaw struggling to get going, a trade between the division rivals for Arenado could benefit Chicago greatly and allow Shaw to take a backseat to one of the game's greatest third basemen of all-time," Wright wrote.
A trade between the Cardinals and Cubs always seems unlikely, but given that St. Louis is expected to struggle, there could be a scenario where Arenado is available.
He's swung the bat at a high level so far this season, hitting .292 with two home runs in 65 at-bats.
