Two significant additions to the outfield will help lift a heavy load off the shoulders of Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw.
When the Milwaukee Brewers traded for Travis Shaw, they thought they were getting a good bat for the bottom part of the order. Little did they know, the left-handed hitter third baseman was capable of a lot more.
In his first season with the Brewers, Shaw swatted 31 home runs and led the team with 101 RBI. Aided by an often outstanding lineup around him, Shaw exceeded all expectations.
This wasn’t the first time Shaw captured a lot of attention. The year prior he helped the Boston Red Sox overcome the Pablo Sandoval disaster. He won the starting third base gig in Spring Training and stayed at the hot corner for the entire season. Although he did slow down as the season progressed, the performance caught the Brewers’ eye enough for them to acquire him in the offseason.
The trade has turned into a remarkably successful one for the Brewers. They now have a third baseman for the next several seasons. Thanks to some recent big moves, the pressure for Shaw to repeat his 2017 performance has been lifted.
The Brewers helped heat up the Hot Stove on Thursday. They struck a deal with the Miami Marlins for Christian Yelich and agreed to a deal with free agent Lorenzo Cain. Along with Ryan Braun, Yelich and Cain round out what should look like a very capable outfield trio.
For Shaw, this means a diminished load. While we should still expect him to hit in the middle of the order, a slump is easier to forgive because of how much the team has improved around him. Yelich and Cain are magnificent players. When the 2018 season opens, the Brewers will begin the year far more confident with those two hitting near or at the top of the lineup.
More Help on the Way?
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Travis Shaw may have even more help on the way. The Milwaukee Brewers could still add a second baseman. We may also see them trade outfielder Domingo Santana for pitching assistance.
If you believe rumors, it’s very likely they sign Jake Arrieta or Yu Darvish. As we’ve seen before this offseason and in winters past, dominoes fall, and several moves can happen in succession.
Shaw’s role with the Brewers is a big one, but not one of dependency. They’ve taken away the burden from him to hit 30 home runs again and drive in triple-digits. After witnessing the slump Jonathan Villar had in 2017 following up his terrific 2016 campaign, it’s a good thing that they’ve removed at least some of the responsibility.
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A key to winning in baseball is fielding a well-rounded team, with depth. The Milwaukee Brewers are attempting to accomplish this. Rather than relying too heavily on someone like Shaw, they are adding valuable pieces around the crew from 2017. With any luck, it’s enough.