Milwaukee Brewers: When will Travis Shaw return?

The Milwaukee Brewers optioned Travis Shaw to the Minors for the second time this year today. Have we seen the last of Shaw in Milwaukee

Travis Shaw has suffered through a season that no one could have predicted. Most were surprised that Shaw didn’t get a lengthy contract extension when he was up for salary arbitration during the off season. He’s been hurt once, and optioned to the Minors twice this year. Could Shaw end up getting non-tendered during the upcoming off season?

Are there any positives for Shaw this year?

Well…Shaw has been solid for the San Antonio Missions!

Shaw owns a .162/.276/.279 slash line in 65 games with the Milwaukee Brewers this year. He also has a .286/.445/.593 slash line in 28 games at Triple-A.

Since Shaw’s return to the Majors on July 26th, he was only 2-for-14 with a walk and a HBP. He hasn’t received anything close to full time at bats, and there doesn’t appear to be a path to an every day role with the Milwaukee Brewers unless there’s an injury.

Could Shaw really get non-tendered?

It’s a little early to make a decision, but, yes, he absolutely could. Sh

aw is earning $4.675 million this year, and he’ll be back in arbitration for the upcoming off season. The Milwaukee Brewers may have to pay him more than $5 million to keep him. With an already tight budget, the Brewers could choose to move on from Shaw and spend elsewhere.

The good news for Shaw is that Mike Moustakas is also has a mutual option with a buy out, and Eric Thames has a club option for $7.5 million with a buyout worth $1 million. If either the team or Moustakas declines the option, and Thames gets bought out, the Milwaukee Brewers are awfully thin at the corners. They may have to keep Shaw around just to have a capable option on the roster.

It’s really amazing to look back at how poorly Shaw’s season has been. He’s gone from a franchise cornerstone to a guy who can’t find at bats in the Majors. Shaw needs to continue to rake in Triple-A, work his way back to the Majors, and make the absolute most of any plate appearances he can get with the Milwaukee Brewers in September. Anything less, and Shaw could end up having to find a new team in November.