Blue Jays: The 411 on infielder Travis Shaw

The Toronto Blue Jays inked free-agent infielder Travis Shaw yesterday, here is the 411 on the newest member of the Jays.

Travis Shaw will be hoping to forget about his disastrous 2019 campaign when he suits up for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020. The 29-year old hit just .157 in 86 games with the Brewers last season, a stat line that also prompted a demotion to Triple-A.

In his two previous seasons prior to last season, Shaw had clobbered 30+ homers including a career-high 32 big flies in 2018.

MLB Blood Lines

You can add Shaw’s name to the list of Blue Jays players whose fathers have played in the majors. Jeff Shaw spent 12 seasons in the majors as a pitcher including three years with the Montreal Expos. The elder Shaw was also the first overall selection in the 1986 amateur draft selected by the Cleveland Indians.

Two Kicks At The Draft

Shaw was drafted twice by the Boston Red Sox going in the 32nd round of the 2008 draft out of high school. The Red Sox would call his name again, this time in the 9th round of the 2011 amateur draft out of Kent State University.

Away From The Field

The Shaw family went through a troubling time away from the field in 2017 when their daughter was born with a heart defect. Ryann Shaw was born with an underdeveloped heart that prevented the blood to pump normally through her body. Shaw juggled family life and baseball as his firstborn underwent a handful of life-threatening heart surgeries to rectify the abnormality.

The little one is doing much better but it was a trying season for the usually private Shaw during his first campaign in Milwaukee.

Ding Dong City

According to Baseball-Reference, Shaw’s nickname is “Mayor of Ding Dong City”. It appears he was affectionately given that moniker from Jared Carrabis of Barstool Sports and it stuck. For the Players Weekend, Shaw even wore “Mayor-DDC” on the back of his jersey.

https://twitter.com/travis_shaw21/status/901195392146038785

Could Be In Fold In 2021

Even though Shaw only inked a one-year deal with the Blue Jays he could still be under team control in 2021. The Brewers opted not to tender Shaw a contract making him a free agent, however, he still had arbitration years left and was not due to hit free agency until 2022. The Blue Jays will be afforded that same option to keep him in the fold and tender him a contract at the conclusion of the 2020 season.

Incentive Laden Contract

The Blue Jays signed Shaw to a base salary of $4 million dollars with incentive clauses for plate appearances. Shaw can earn an additional $175K for 350 plate appearances and then an additional $125k for eclipsing 400/450/500 and 550 appearances.

If Shaw maxes out his incentives, he would earn the same amount he did in 2019 with the Brewers. ($4.675 million)

Positional Flexibility

Shaw will provide manager Charlie Montoyo with some positional flexibility on the infield. The newest Blue Jay has MLB experience at first, second and third base during his five seasons in the majors.

Shaw also has 26 Defensive Runs Saved throughout his career on defence at the hot corner.

434 Games at 3B

129 Games at 1B

41 Games at 2B

2 Games in LF

Not Afraid To Take A Free Pass

The slugger won’t shy away from working an at-bat and taking the free pass, Shaw has walked 235 times including 78 times in 2018.

Bounceback Candidate

Shaw has the potential to be a great bounceback candidate and benefit from the homer-happy confines of the Rogers Centre in 2020. Great low-risk signing.