Blue Jays sign Travis Shaw

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed infielder Travis Shaw. Photo: Associated Press

December 22, 2019

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays and free-agent infielder Travis Shaw have come to terms on a one-year, $4-million pact.

Shaw, 29, has appeared in parts of six seasons at the MLB level, slashing a combined .243/.327/.451 with 99 home runs across 592 games as a member of the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers.

Two years removed from posting a career-best OPS of .862 with the Brewers, the former ninth-round draft pick will be looking to bounce back after batting just .157 through 86 games at the big league level in 2019.

Though the majority of his playing time in the Show has been spent at third base (434 games), the left-handed swinging Shaw is expected to see the bulk of his defensive innings at first base with the Blue Jays in 2020.

Having fared significantly better when facing right-handed pitching throughout his Major League career, the Blue Jays could look to utilize Shaw in a platoon role at first base while Rowdy Tellez shifts to full-time DH status.

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