The Royals made a notable move at third base Thursday when they agreed to sign former Phillie Maikel Franco to a deal worth just under $3MM in guaranteed money. It turns out the Royals’ decision at the hot corner came down to Franco and Travis Shaw, as Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com tweets. But Franco’s “younger with more upside (and more cost-efficient),” notes Flanagan, which helped lead the rebuilding Royals to go in his direction.
Kansas City’s betting on a revival from the 27-year-old Franco, a former high-end prospect whose career began with a flourish but has fallen apart over the past few past seasons. Shaw, whom the Brewers non-tendered at the outset of this month, may have been even worse than Franco last season. However, Shaw has been the more successful of the two in recent years, and he’s confident he’ll return to his top form in 2020.
“Never been more motivated,” Shaw told reporter Robert Murray via text. “Can’t wait for 2020 to start. Someone is gonna get lucky.”
Shaw, set to turn 30 next April, was terrific during a two-year stretch from 2017-18. He combined for 7.1 fWAR on the strength of a .258/.347/.497 line with 63 home runs in 1,193 plate appearances during that span. Unfortunately for the Brewers and Shaw, though, his production collapsed last season – a year in which he hit a horrific .157/.281/.270 with seven HRs and minus-0.8 fWAR over 270 trips to the plate. The Brewers moved on as a result, even though they had no obvious third base solution with Mike Moustakas then a free agent (and now a member of the division-rival Reds), and it’s difficult to blame them for not wanting to pay a projected $4.7MM in arbitration in light of Shaw’s 2019 production.
Now, although Shaw’s most recent output was downright bad, it’s anyone’s guess how he’ll fare in free agency. Viable third base options on the open market have shrunk since the offseason commenced, with Josh Donaldson the lone clear-cut starter left. Teams that don’t sign Donaldson (or have little to no chance of reeling in the soon-to-be high-paid star) could turn to Shaw and hope for a bounce-back campaign.
The Brewers can have 2 3b’s from the Mets in Lowrie and Davis for Hader and the $$ the Mets save they can sign Betances or Hudson
I would take a chance and sign Travis Shaw If I could. I know for sure he will have a better season either in 2020-21. He has potential. The Phillies, Rangers or Atlanta should sign him. He had a down year and that can happen to some players. A change of scenery can sometimes help and the help of good coaches is a plus.
Lmao! It would take a hell of a lot more for Hader than overpaid Lowrie and Davis.
Jvent the Brewers will not trade the best reliever in baseball with 4 cheap years of control for a 3B and a bad contract.
Especially since they don’t even have the best reliever in baseball
Based on last year the A’s do
Unless MIL realizes Hader is regressing right before our eyes and/or has an arm issue…
Jvent that was one of the dumber non trolling attempted comments we’ve seen on this site
Still see a fit in Boston if Holt is not resigned. Also depends on cost. Regardless of his Brewers’ expectations, $1m base plus incentives is all I see should he get an MLB offer.
I didn’t realize his collapse was that severe. Was he dealing with a nagging injury or something?
Never got back on track after spraining his right wrist earlier in the season. Tough to get back on track as a backup/pinch hitter
Is this a DeRosa situation?
When he came back after raking in the minors the Brewers sent Hiura back down to the minors so Shaw could get regular at bats in order to get back on track. He continued to struggle which forced them to promote Keston and then finally bench him. The fact he even was given almost 300 ABs with those numbers shows the Brewers gave him a significant leash. I’m guessing it was a mental thing his second go around.
Great point. Perhaps a bounce back year in Japan or Korea could help.
Shaw makes a ton of sense for the Nationals. Even if they sign Donaldson, they’ll be piecing together second and third and in need of offense.
Second and first, I mean.
No it doesn’t. They are a contending team and don’t need a huge question mark like Shaw.
Indians could use him at 2B. Probably cost about $3M and Francona is great with these types of players.
Tigers kill me shaw would be a perfect fit avila should be fired
It’s been awhile since I watched a Tigers game but I thought they had Niko Goodrum running around playing every position like in that Bugs Bunny cartoon Baseball Bugs?
They do lol
I’m guessing he’s stalling for a trade. Franco for $3m and two additional years of team control is a great deal imo. Shaw for $3m, I believe is more ideal than the Mercer and Harrison contracts last year. The stove is cold, and cabin fever is kicking in Detroit.
Avila should be FIRED? For not signing Travis Shaw? If you say so
Too bad Shaw wasn’t motivated last year.
The Brewers would have won the division and he’d still have a starting job on a winning team.
But this year he’ll be motivated.
This ranks up there with the dumbest comments I have read.
I read it as a joke. Not a joke? Wouldn’t surprise me. MLBTR has the dumbest comment section I’ve ever seen
Yes, dumb thing to say when you obviously didnt watch the Crew last season
Mariners should trade Kyle Seager and sign Shaw as his replacement. Hopefully trading him mid-season for prospects.
Classic Dipoto!
If Donaldson costs more than 85MM for 4 years. Then the Rangers might as well sign Shaw and Castellanos and trade for Nimmo or JBJ.
Brewers should send Travis Shaw back to Boston as an apology for Tyler Thornburg. Besides, John Farrell (who never liked Shaw) is gone.
Tigers should be all over Shaw.
Pirates should kick the tires, especially if they are offered a nice return for either Frazier or Bell and need to fill those gaps cheaply. Hope Shaw turns it around and then deal him for a good return, too.
Like to see Cleveland sign him and move Ramirez to 2B.
Avila should be putting up or shutting up. Shaw is a low cost….good rebound guy….Al says he wants to get better. Romine is a start but there are a lot of holes.