The Chicago Cubs' blockbuster $175 million acquisition of 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.
A Controversial Decision and a Disappointing Debut
Matt Shaw, a 24-year-old once considered a top prospect, found himself at the centre of controversy last September. The rookie, who was hitting just .223, chose to leave the team during a pennant race to attend the memorial service for murdered conservative activist and passionate Cubs fan, Charlie Kirk, in Arizona. The Cubs had already secured a playoff spot, but Shaw's decision to miss a game—which the Cubs lost 1-0 to the Cincinnati Reds—drew sharp criticism from fans and media alike.
Shaw, a friend of Kirk's who shared text messages about their Christian faith, stated he had the team's support. 'Allowing me to do that was really special of them,' he said. However, the move was widely perceived as unorthodox for a struggling player. Shaw appeared in 126 games as a rookie, posting a poor .295 on-base percentage and a .394 slugging percentage, though he still finished ninth in the Rookie of the Year voting.
Insiders Point to a Rocky Relationship and Trade Winds
The situation has escalated following the Bregman signing. Veteran baseball analyst Keith Law identified Shaw as the 'most obvious candidate' to be traded from a crowded Cubs infield that also features Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson. Law's reporting in The Athletic went further, suggesting insiders felt Shaw had been difficult to coach.
'[His] rookie season was a disappointment at the plate thanks to some frequent mechanical changes and, according to people I've spoken to, resistance to help from the Cubs' staff,' Law wrote. He also referred to the memorial service as a 'political rally'—a characterisation that sparked a fierce backlash on social media from critics who accused Law of letting his political views influence his analysis.
Diverging Paths for Shaw's Future with the Club
The debate over Shaw's future is split. Some fans and analysts believe a trade is the simplest solution. Others, like USA Today's Bob Nightengale, suggest the Cubs could move Shaw to second base and trade Hoerner, or utilise him as a super utility player. However, a reserve role is far from ideal for a developing player who needs consistent plate appearances.
Further complicating matters, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the San Francisco Giants have inquired about second baseman Nico Hoerner, indicating the infield market is active. Shaw's prior attendance at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix has also cemented a political association that continues to divide the fanbase.
The coming weeks will be critical for the Cubs' front office. They must decide whether to capitalise on Shaw's remaining prospect value in a trade or attempt to reshape his role and development within a team now firmly in a win-now mode with Alex Bregman on board.
