Brewers: Opt Out Date for Travis Shaw is Rapidly Approaching

After a brief one year hiatus from the Milwaukee Brewers, Travis Shaw signed a minor league deal with the Brewers that includes a rapidly approaching potential opt out date of March 15th, 2021.

The opt can be exercised if he has not been added to the 40 man roster by that date. The only exception to this is unless he is added to the 40 man roster within 72 hours via a formal request.

If added to the 40 man roster, Shaw would be set to earn $1.5MM in 2021 and he will have the potential to earn more from incentive bonuses: He could earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $50,000 each for 250, 275 and 300, $75,000 apiece for 325, 350 and 375, $125,000 for 400, $150,000 for 425, $250,000 for 450 and $300,000 each for 475 and 502.

Despite being a 31 year old veteran and contributing two seasons of 30+ home runs for the Brewers, “The Mayor” will have to earn/play well in spring training in order to earn a roster spot.

Recently, Craig Counsell made his comments known about Travis Shaw’s performance so far.

Through play as of March 12, 2021 Shaw has collected three hits in fourteen at bats. He has one double, one home run, and has drawn four walks. Importantly he has only struck out on three occasions, which is evidence that his outs are coming via making contact.

However, Travis Shaw’s competition is also playing well.  Non roster Invitees Pablo Reyes and Zach Green have been solid in their opportunities, but one major factor to take into consideration is injuries.

Infielders Mark Mathias, Tim Lopes, and Luis Urias have all sustained injuries throughout spring training with Lopes correspondingly being placed on the 60 day IL and a MRI pending for Mathias.

Not to mention Lorenzo Cain is dealing with a quadriceps injury, Ray Black an elbow injury, and Dylan File recovering from elbow surgery.  An IL designation has not been announced by the Brewers yet regarding File, whose timetable to return is approximately mid-season, but moving File to the 60 day IL will free up a spot on the 40 man roster, although it would start his service clock.

It is possible that with the amount of injuries occurring this will open up a roster spot for Shaw.  With just a few days remaining prior to Travis Shaw’s opt out date, the Brewers are going to have to make a very difficult decision on whether to add him to the 40 man roster or not.