The Chicago Cubs took two of three from the New York Yankees and Craig Counsell made two major statements in the final road series before the All-Star break, including one that could have big ramifications at the MLB trade deadline.
New leadoff hitter
First, veteran outfielder Ian Happ was booted out of the leadoff spot as Counsell went to right-handed hitting second baseman Nico Hoerner at the top of the batting order on Friday and Saturday. Counsell told reporters that Hoerner would remain as the leadoff hitter against left-handed starting pitching, which the Cubs faced in their first two games against the Yankees.
However, the message was clear after the series finale on Sunday, it doesn't appear like Happ is going to be leading off against righties either, at least not for the foreseeable future. Happ was slotted into the No. 6 spot in the batting order against right-handed pitcher Will Warren in Sunday's 4-1 Cubs win. Meanwhile, Counsell moved left-handed batter Michael Busch to the leadoff spot and made Counsell look like the smartest manager in the game almost immediately.
Busch homered on the second pitch he saw from Warren, giving the Cubs a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning.
As for Happ, he's responded positively at the plate since being pushed down in the lineup. The Cubs' left fielder went 3-for-7, with a walk after sitting out on Friday night. The switch-hitter was in a brutal slump since his last home run on June 25, against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Happ, who made his MLB debut in 2017 and is the longest-tenured players on the Cubs, was only 4-for-51 from June 26 through July 10. Overall in 2025, Happ has a 102 wRC+ with a slash line of .228/.326/.375, in 402 plate appearances.
Matt Shaw benched
So, it seems like Counsell did find an answer at leadoff with the struggles of Happ, but the Cubs may be searching for some help at third base. Rookie Matt Shaw did not start for the Cubs in any of the three games in New York as the prospect entered the All-Star break with a .556 OPS.
Shaw has been great on defense, surprising many scouts who believed he couldn't hold up at the position and while that's obviously been a positive development the 23-year-old has been brutal at the plate. Shaw had a great three-week stretch after returning from the minor leagues in May, but from June 8 through the All-Star break Shaw is 10-for-87, with a slash line of .115/.194/.149, while hitting no home runs in 98 plate appearances.
The most concerning part from Shaw's prolonged slump is that he's simply not making good contact. He has an average exit velocity of 83.9mph since June 8, fifth worst among all hitters with at least 90 plate appearances. Plus, Shaw's .166 wOBA is dead last in MLB since June 8.
Jon Berti and Vidal Bruján filled in at third base against the Yankees as Shaw sat on the bench. The Cubs have not gotten much production from any of their third basemen in 2025, unfortunately following the same trend from 2024.
Shaw was supposed to be the answer at the hot corner this season, but it sure does seem like Counsell sent the front office a message entering the All-Star break by benching the ex-top prospect. Shaw has a 61 wRC+ in 232 plate appearances. So far this year the Cubs rank last in MLB in offensive production from the third base position, as they've combined for a 51 wRC+ with a slash line of .196/.265/.257.
I'd bet good money that the Cubs will add another bat at the trade deadline to give a boost at third base.
