Blue Jays: Travis Shaw had as many as 14 suitors including Red Sox

According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Travis Shaw had as many as 14 suitors including interest from his former Red Sox team before the Blue Jays landed the infielder.

In the article, Speier did say the Red Sox did not make a formal offer to Travis Shaw as it appeared they were trying to move salary before going any further in negotiations. The Blue Jays eventually signed Shaw to a one-year/ $4 million dollar pact that includes incentives that could take the deal to $4,675,000.

The Blue Jays can retain Shaw in 2021 as he is still eligible for salary arbitration after the Brewers non-tendered him earlier in the offseason. He earned $4,675,000 million in 2019, the exact same amount he can bank in 2020 if he cashes in on all the plate appearance incentives.

Obviously teams agree that Shaw is a good bounce-back candidate to return to his 2018 form where he connected for 32 home runs. Last season, the infielder struggled mightily at the dish and was even demoted to Triple-A as a result of his funk at the dish.

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The Mayor of Ding Dong City would finish the disappointing campaign with an uninspiring .157/.281/.270 line with seven homers in 86 games for the Brew Crew. It is his previous body of work and tape measure power that had teams in pursuit of his services.

Not only can Shaw play first, second and third base but he had back to back 30+ homer seasons in 2018 and 2017. The 29-year old will see plenty of action at first base and will also be used to spell off Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at third base from time to time.

Good on the Blue Jays brain trust for landing Shaw on a relatively low-risk deal before the 13 other interested General Managers could lure him elsewhere.

The Blue Jays could definitely be a sleeper in the AL East if Shaw can provide some clout in the middle of the order along with their current cast that is already in place.