8:02pm: Shaw will make $1.5MM with another potential $1.5MM in incentives if he earns a roster spot, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com relays. There’s a March 15 opt-out date in the pact.
7:14pm: Shaw will get a non-guaranteed deal, per Bradford.
6:48pm: A Shaw signing “is imminent” for the Brewers, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com tweets.
6:19pm: Free-agent corner infielder Travis Shaw and the Brewers are “in serious talks” on a contract, Robert Murray of FanSided tweets. It’s “likely” they’ll reach a deal, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reported earlier Tuesday that Shaw could come off the board soon.
There is plenty of familiarity between the Brewers and Shaw, who spent 2017-19 with the team after it acquired him from the Red Sox in December 2016. Shaw was an offensive standout as a Brewer in his first two years, in which he hit .258/.347/.497 with 63 home runs in 1,193 plate appearances, but his numbers have dropped off significantly since then. He batted a horrific .157/.281/.270 with seven homers over 270 PA in his final year with the team, and the Brewers non-tendered him after that.
Shaw joined the Blue Jays on a $4MM guarantee heading into last season, and though he did post better numbers, he still wasn’t a major threat. The 30-year-old slashed .239/.306/.411 with six HRs across 180 PA. If he goes back to Milwaukee, though, Shaw could compete for at-bats at both first and third. The Brewers are slated to start Keston Hiura and Luis Urias at those two positions, while Daniel Vogelbach and Daniel Robertson are on their 40-man roster as potential bench options.
Just like everybody predicted, the Brewers are making 1000 late signings in the off-season.
They’ll sign every middle-infielder and oft-injured pitcher left without a contract.
Brewers switching to plan B. Let’s give a little credit to them for going hard for Turner. I decided yesterday I would be ok with Gyorko or Shaw as plan B. I hope for one more actual impact signing or trade.
See: My previous comment about Derek Fisher trade and analysis.
I’m not sure how this Shaw deal is going to work out but since this is a Brewers article I will go ahead and share my thoughts on the Travis Shaw pick-up and potential moves for the rest of Milwauke’s free agency:
I’m hoping for the best for Shaw. I have to say I’m a little surprised Milwaukee passed up the chance to sign Yadier Molina or trade for Kris Bryant to make room on the roster for him though. I know Molina is just a right handed catcher with a history of cardinals but the outfield batting is one of the Brewers biggest needs right now. Bryant has actually been really good when he has hit. Shaw was really only good in 2019. He was in the minors then and he played in the best hitters league in basketball.
Those are my thoughts on those situations when it comes to Milwaukee. Let me know what you think.
@Jorge I don’t think Cubs trade Bryant in the division. Better to chase him next year as a FA.
I like Molina too. Actually he irritates me cuz he kicks our asses. But I would spend that 10 mil elsewhere. Not sure who that might be at this point. Maybe a trade?
You really should go read his other comment he’s talking about and then decide if you want to continue…
Lately I’ve found myself coming to this site just to read his comments. Incredible.
“… with a history of cardinals …”
That history of Cardinals is what concerns me.
Damn. I’ll try replying again. Cubs won’t trade Bryant to brewers and Molina got too much money. I like them both but wasn’t gonna happen. Next year Bryant a FA!
Dude, the Brewers are never going to be a team capable of signing a Bryant type free agent. Get that thought outta your mind now – it’s not happening. The team also isn’t good enough to risk putting the few good prospects they do have on any one piece anyway – such as a Bryant or Arenado, nor any star pitcher even if they started with Hader. They have to do a better job developing, it’s really as simple as that. Then, when you feel like you’re a piece or 2 away, you strike with a big sign or trades at the deadline.
I am saying Cubs will not trade Bryant to brewers. Hard stop. If brewers want Bryant, wait til FA next year. But I agree they won’t sign him in 22.
Brewers will make big moves – Trade for Yelich. Sign Cain. Extend Yelich. Try to sign Turner.
But they are careful and avoid pitchers since Suppan and Lohse.
By the way – I like the Wong signing. Do you?
Yes. It sucks that Hiura didn’t pan out there. Scooter was the last real 2nd baseman they had. Now they’ve got a 2nd baseman, but no real 1st baseman, patchwork 3rd baseman and average catchers. It’ll just have to do.
They made as great an effort at justin turner. But he wanted to return to LA for unknown reasons (lol)
Looking for the bargains.
Day of serious talks from the Brewers
I understand Stearns will mess up from time to time I forgive him for this one
If the price is right. Would really prefer Gyorko given how he hit last year.
“Mayor of Ding Dong City” might be the greatest nickname of all time. I’m just not sure Travis Shaw is worthy of it.
Stay hot rocket
The origin story is pretty good, too. Carrabis from Barstool gave it to him.
He’s too much ding and not enough dong.
Wanted him for Braves bench
take it
Hoping he has a bounce back. Think his biggest issue last year was not being in game shape and having to worry about his child having major surgery while not being around
Agreed. And while he didn’t look good last year, it’s at least worth noting his season was basically the length of spring training. Hard to put much stock into a lot of 2020 numbers, especially when he was dealing with other stuff.
2019 numbers were bad too. There’s enough stock there.
Another player going back to their old team
wow….even said last week “I wouldn’t be upset ” if this happened. Didn’t actually think it would this quickly but I like it. (assuming he’s cheap)
More ex-Jays.
Yep, just like Shawn Marcum
David Stearns dumpster diving for ex Jays again.
I still liked this guy in Boston. His numbers are shy of what he really does as a player. I’m upset we traded him. He’s the dirt dog type player and Mayor of Ding Dong city.
If they just let Shaw play 3B maybe he can find some sort of offensive prowess again
^^^^ this. I wanna think these guys are so good they can just move around and switch positions, but this isn’t your beer league softball team. When they experimented with Moose and Shaw, it was just too much. I think we underestimate how much focus and attention it takes to learn a new position, and it clearly affected Shaw’s hitting. Let these guys focus on their natural position and use your utility guys to give them a day off. Gives us an appreciation for the skill of the utility player like Hernan Perez. You hope those guys hit for avg and offer solid defense. The regular position players are the ones you need to either have that .280 or better BA and either the greater than .350 obp or greater than .850 slg%. Only the superstars can give you all of that. And the Crew can’t afford to field a team full of them. They also haven’t been able to develop them either, so it always seems to come down to catching lightning in a bottle with as many of these guys as they can.
He isn’t really good of player to give not much punch in your lineup. This guy hardly has anything left in the tank to provide any jolt to a team. Gotta grab go washed up players to see if they shine into Solid offensive producers they once were.
MIL is a sleeper team and may be much better than they’re given credit for. As long as they are healthy. Pitching appears solid and defense has improved. Perhaps they need a supersub type.
I don’t think they’re much of a sleeper. PECOTA predicts they’ll win the division with 89 wins
Brewers>Cardinals
They needed a LH Starter and a LH 3B, and Anderson and Shaw were the best ones left.
technically doesn’t even rule out a franco signing if they feel like letting go of vogelbach
I hope the Brewers also sign Jed Gyorko. Both Gyorko and Shaw can play 3rd, 1st, and 2nd. The Brewers would have the infield covered for the days off for the starters, an extra player who can start in case of an injury, and a solution at 3rd. I just would not chance putting all my eggs in a basket with just Shaw. Gyorko and Shaw would be great signing. Plus, if you look at Gyorkoś stats both on offence and defence… They are very similar to Moose for a fraction of the price… $3-$4 million vs. $15 million for Moose.
Do you think it’s the right move to let Braun ride off into the sunset?
If the NL had a DH the answer would be “no”. However, Braun is basically a man without a position at this point. Yelich and Garcia are superior defensively in the Outfield corners and offer more upside offensively. If they would have convinced Braun to move to 1B years ago it might be a different story today
I would like to see Braun back if he wants to play, and the Brewers should bring him back if he wants to come back. However, it would have to be on a team friendly contract. They already have paid him $4 with the buyout, so another $4 million should do it. He would have only made $15 million had Milwaukee paid him. Now that he is a part-time player, $8 million should be more than enough. Especially with the back issues he has. I know the DH is looking doubtful, but if it is in play this year, having Braun back at $8 million makes all the sense in the world. Plus, he can start in the outfield in case of injury.
Don’t need Gyorko. They already have Urias, who should be fully recovered from his broken hand and Covid. If he hits anything close to his graded hit tool, combined with his D, he’s a 3 WAR third baseman.
Hmm … Travis Shaw. Daniel Vogelbach. Brett Anderson. Derek Fisher. Billy McKinney. Luke Maile.
Head of Blue Jays’ Security, reporting to Mark Shapiro: “… and finally, about the man whose been rummaging our dumpsters at nights for months now, we finally got some video.
Mark Shapiro: (Hands over smart phone open to an online photo) Is that the guy?
Head of security: Yes! How did you guess? Who is he?
Mark Shapiro: Well, his name is Matt Arnold …
Justin Smoak, Eric Sogard…
I thought the Braves should have signed him. Oh well.