MLB Players: The parallel careers of Justin Smoak and Travis Shaw
Two MLB players have seen their own highs and lows in their careers. But the coincidences in those highs and lows connect them more than their offseason swap.
It was one of the more exciting offseasons in recent years. With MLB players like Gerrit Cole to the New York Yankees, Anthony Rendon to the Los Angeles Angels, and Mookie Betts in a blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
There were a lot of good under-the-radar moves too with the White Sox signing Dallas Keuchel, the Phillies taking a one-year chance on Didi Gregorious and the Rays making trades for almost all the Padres’ farm system it seems.
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When the season does eventually arrive, each team and their new rosters will be ready to compete for the ultimate title of World Champs.
Each of those teams also would have made moves that maybe don’t catch as much attention as they should. That is where the focus turns to the bats of Justin Smoak and Travis Shaw.
Two guys who to my knowledge don’t have much in common prior to the start of their MLB careers. But when both players reached the ultimate goal, both had shown positive signs for a fruitful career, truly broke out in their later 20’s, but now, after a very down season, are trying to break out after essentially trading places this offseason.