The Chicago Cubs' blockbuster $175 million deal to secure star third baseman Alex Bregman has created an immediate logjam in their infield, casting serious doubt over the future of young player Matt Shaw just a month before spring training commences.
Controversial Absence and Coaching Concerns
The 24-year-old Shaw, once considered a top prospect, drew significant criticism last September for missing a game to attend the memorial service for murdered conservative activist and passionate Cubs fan, Charlie Kirk, in Arizona. The event was held at State Farm Stadium and attended by former President Donald Trump among other right-wing figures. Although the Cubs had clinched a playoff spot, Shaw's decision to leave the team while hitting a struggling .223 raised eyebrows.
While Shaw stated he had the team's support, calling it "really special of them," veteran baseball insider Keith Law reported a deeper issue. In The Athletic, Law wrote that Shaw's rookie season was a disappointment, citing frequent mechanical changes and, more damningly, resistance to help from the Cubs' coaching staff. Law labelled Shaw the "most obvious candidate" to be traded from an infield also featuring Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson.
A Political Firestorm and Fan Division
Law's analysis ignited a firestorm, particularly after he referred to Kirk's memorial as a "political rally." Critics on X accused Law of letting his political views colour his baseball analysis. One wrote, "Keith Law is a political extremist & allowing his hatred of Trump & Charlie Kirk to influence his baseball analysis."
However, many fans supported the trade suggestion on purely baseball grounds. "Keep Nico Hoerner, Trade Matt Shaw, simple stuff, Cubs," one fan commented. The incident has undoubtedly made Shaw a polarising figure, compounded by his speech at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix last month.
Potential Paths Forward for Shaw and the Cubs
With Bregman now entrenched at third base, the Cubs must decide Shaw's fate. USA Today's Bob Nightengale suggested Shaw could be moved to second base, making Hoerner trade bait, or become a super utility player. However, a reserve role is far from ideal for a developing player like Shaw who needs consistent plate appearances.
Trade interest is swirling, with ESPN's Jeff Passan reporting the San Francisco Giants have inquired about Hoerner. Shaw's rookie stats—a .295 on-base percentage and .394 slugging percentage over 126 games—were poor, yet he still finished ninth in Rookie of the Year voting, indicating lingering potential.
The controversy has extended beyond Chicago, with New York Mets announcer Gary Cohen calling the decision to leave the team during a pennant race "weird," a sentiment echoed by former player Todd Zeile who called it "unprecedented." As spring training approaches, Shaw's future with the Cubs hangs in the balance, caught between his on-field performance, perceived coaching difficulties, and the political maelstrom his actions provoked.
