{"id":519352,"date":"2026-01-14T04:08:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T04:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/519352\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T04:08:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T04:08:18","slug":"cubs-star-who-missed-game-to-attend-charlie-kirks-memorial-faces-uncertain-future-after-175m-addition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/519352\/","title":{"rendered":"Cubs star who missed game to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial faces uncertain future after $175m addition"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ALEX RASKIN, US SPORTS NEWS EDITOR<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 21:49 EST, 13 January 2026 | Updated: 22:47 EST, 13 January 2026 <\/p>\n

The Chicago Cubs<\/a>‘ $175 million acquisition of third baseman Alex Bregman<\/a> has left one notable player without a starting job a month before spring training.<\/p>\n

Matt Shaw, a 24-year-old third baseman, drew criticism for missing a September game<\/a> to attend murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk<\/a>‘s memorial service in Arizona<\/a>. The team had already clinched a playoff spot at the time, but for a struggling rookie hitting just .223, the decision to leave the team raised eyebrows among fans and media.<\/a><\/p>\n

A friend of Kirk’s who frequently texted the public speaker about their shared Christian faith, Shaw later released a statement indicating he had the team’s support in taking leave: ‘Allowing me to do that was really special of them.’<\/p>\n

Although Shaw was considered a top prospect last season, veteran baseball insider Keith Law now sees him as the ‘most obvious candidate’ to get traded away from a Cubs infield that also includes second baseman Nico Hoerner and shortstop Dansby Swanson.<\/p>\n

Law went a step further, reporting that insiders feel Shaw has been difficult to coach.<\/p>\n

‘[\u2026 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 in The Athletic<\/a>. ‘He also made his priorities clear when he left the team during the pennant race to attend a political rally, missing a game the Cubs lost 1-0 [to the Cincinnati Reds<\/a>].’<\/p>\n

\"Charlie <\/p>\n

Charlie Kirk (center) is flanked by Cubs infielders Matt Shaw (left) and Michael Busch (right)<\/p>\n

\"Newly <\/p>\n

Newly acquired Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman enjoys the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers at the United Center<\/p>\n

Many critics attacked Law on X for referring to the Kirk’s memorial service as a ‘political rally.’ The event took place at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium, home of the NFL’s Cardinals, and was attended by President Donald Trump, among other right-wing figures.<\/p>\n

‘Keith Law is a political extremist & allowing his hatred of Trump & Charlie Kirk to influence his baseball analysis, falsely claiming Matt Shaw is unprofessional, uncoachable & needs to be traded,’ one critic wrote on X.<\/p>\n

But many other fans supported Law’s suggestion, politics aside.<\/p>\n

As one wrote on X: ‘Keep Nico Hoerner, Trade Matt Shaw, simple stuff, Cubs.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

ESPN’s Jeff Passan has reported that the San Francisco Giants have inquired about Hoerner.<\/p>\n

But USA Today baseball insider Bob Nightengale sees another avenue for the Cubs to retain Shaw.<\/p>\n

‘The Cubs now can move Matt Shaw to second base and trade Nico Hoerner or simply make Shaw a super utility player,’ Nightengale wrote on X.<\/p>\n

Of course, a developing player like Shaw needs as many plate appearances as possible, which could make a reserve role unappealing for both the player and the team.<\/p>\n

\"Kirk, <\/p>\n

Kirk, a passionate Chicago Cubs fan, is pictured with his wife and daughter at Wrigley\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kirk, a lifelong Cubs fan, was shot to death while speaking on September 10 at Utah Valley University.<\/p>\n

Shaw faced criticism from Cubs fans and media members from around the country when he attended Kirk’s memorial service days later.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘I don’t want to talk about any of the politics of it, but the thought of leaving your team in the middle of a race for any reason other than a family emergency really strikes me as weird,’ Mets announcer Gary Cohen told color commentator Todd Zeile.<\/p>\n

‘I think it’s unprecedented, at least from my experience as a player,’ Zeile responded.<\/p>\n

The 13th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, Shaw appeared in 126 games as a rookie, but posted a poor on-base percentage of just .295 and an equally miserable slugging percentage of .394. Despite this, he finished ninth in the Rookie of the Year voting.<\/p>\n

The Massachusetts native spoke at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix last month.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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