The Red Sox announced a flurry of moves this morning, selecting the contracts of a pair of veterans — 32-year-old infielder Travis Shaw and 31-year-old reliever Hansel Robles — and designating right-handers Eduard Bazardo and Ralph Garza Jr. for assignment. They also optioned righty Tyler Danish to Triple-A Worcester and placed left-hander Josh Taylor on the 10-day IL with a lower back strain.
Both Shaw and Robles spent the end of last season on the Red Sox’s roster. The former arrived via waiver claim from the Brewers, returning to the place where he spent the first two years of his big league career. Shaw was a productive power bat for the Brew Crew between 2017-18, combining for 63 home runs. He hasn’t hit well lately, posting below-average numbers in each of the past three seasons as his strikeout rate has jumped. In 250 plate appearances last season, he hit .200/.286/.373 (although he did do well in a very tiny sample upon landing in Boston).
Robles locks in a $2.25MM base salary by making the Opening Day roster. Acquired from the Twins at the trade deadline, he settled into the mid-late innings down the stretch for Alex Cora. Robles had an ERA pushing 5.00 in Minnesota, but he managed a capable 3.60 mark in 25 innings with the Sox. Robles averages nearly 97 MPH on his heater and punched out a slightly above-average 25.6% of batters faced, albeit with spotty control.
Garza has already been claimed off waivers by the division-rival Rays. Bazardo seems likely to follow him to the waiver wire. The 26-year-old made his big league debut last season, tossing three innings over two relief appearances. The Venezuela native averaged nearly 95 MPH on his heater, but he was tagged for an 8.74 ERA in 11 Triple-A appearances. He owns a strong minor league track record up through Double-A and still has a pair of minor league options remaining.
The Travis Shaw road show continues
Bazardo . . . what? What is going on with the club and him? They don’t pitch him, now they open him up to a claim.
They must not think he’s very good
I Shaw this from a distance
He won’t last, it’s a Travis-ty
So, the Red Sox are saving the Danish for later?
Service time manipulation. He’ll be finally a FA at 40.
Yup. He, Danish, was in town for a cup of coffee.
I Confess they Save it For Later
Devers turns down extension and Shaw makes the team. Blatantly obvious that Devers on way to the Mets for JD Davis, Diaz, Dom Smith. and a few AA pitchers
I don’t know if the Sox are extending Devers, but I’m pretty confident that’s not happening
Bazardo will not clear. Cards should trade for him. Garza would be good depth also
Travis is the new low cost bounce back candidate, as Renfroe was last year.
Coming home to Boston must have an incredible positive affect on Shaw. He must know that its do or die time. If not, the next stop is Eduardo Nunez’s roommate in Taiwan.