Travis Shaw is a professional baseball player who has played for multiple teams in his career, including the Boston Red Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers. Known for his power-hitting and versatility in the field, Shaw has been a key contributor to his teams over the years.
However, one question that comes up when discussing Shaw’s career is whether or not he was ever traded. We will explore this question in detail, taking a closer look at Shaw’s career, the trade that took place, and its aftermath.
By the end of this post, readers will have a clear understanding of whether or not Travis Shaw was indeed traded and what impact the trade had on his career.
Travis Shaw’s Career in the Mlb
Travis Shaw began his professional baseball career in 2011 when he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round of the MLB draft.
After a few seasons in the minor leagues, Shaw made his major league debut with the Red Sox in 2015. In his rookie season, Shaw played in 65 games and hit .270 with 13 home runs and 36 RBI.
However, it was in the 2016 season that Shaw really broke out. In 145 games, he hit .242 with 34 doubles, 16 home runs, and 71 RBI. He also played solid defense at third base, making just 11 errors all season.
Shaw’s performance helped the Red Sox win the American League East division title and reach the playoffs.
After the 2016 season, Shaw was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for relief pitcher Tyler Thornburg. In his first season with the Brewers, Shaw continued to perform well, hitting .273 with 31 home runs and 101 RBI. He also played first and third base for the Brewers, showing off his versatility.
Overall, in his career so far, Shaw has played in 754 games and has a batting average of .243 with 110 home runs and 381 RBI. While he has had some ups and downs, he has established himself as a solid major-league player who can contribute both at the plate and in the field.
The Trade
After the 2016 season, the Boston Red Sox were looking to improve their bullpen, which had been a weakness in the previous year. They targeted Tyler Thornburg, a hard-throwing relief pitcher who had put up strong numbers with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Brewers were willing to part with Thornburg but asked for a young, controllable position player in return. The Red Sox offered Travis Shaw, along with two minor league prospects.
The trade was completed in December 2016, with the Red Sox sending Shaw, infielder Mauricio Dubon, and pitcher Josh Pennington to the Brewers in exchange for Thornburg. At the time, the trade was seen as a win-win for both teams.
The Red Sox got the reliever they were looking for, while the Brewers acquired a young infielder who had shown potential at the major league level.
However, the trade ultimately did not work out as well for the Red Sox as they had hoped. Thornburg struggled with injuries and pitched in just 41 games over two seasons for the team.
Meanwhile, Shaw continued to perform well for the Brewers, hitting over 30 home runs in his first season with the team.
Reaction and Aftermath
The trade between the Red Sox and the Brewers generated mixed reactions from fans and analysts at the time. Many Red Sox fans were disappointed to see Shaw go, as he had been a key contributor to the team’s success in 2016.
However, some analysts felt that the team needed to make the move in order to shore up their bullpen. On the Brewers’ side, the trade was seen as a positive move. Shaw was seen as a player with upside who could help the team both offensively and defensively.
Some analysts felt that the Brewers got the better end of the deal, especially given Thornburg’s injury concerns.
In the years since the trade, it has become clear that the Brewers did indeed get the better end of the deal. While Shaw has continued to perform well for the team, Thornburg’s injuries limited his effectiveness with the Red Sox.
The team ended up releasing Thornburg after the 2019 season, having received very little production from him in his two years with the team.
Overall, the trade between the Red Sox and the Brewers was a reminder of the unpredictability of trades in professional sports. While the Red Sox may have had good intentions in acquiring Thornburg, the trade ultimately did not work out in their favor.
Meanwhile, the Brewers were able to acquire a solid major-league player in Shaw, who has been an important part of their team over the past few seasons.
Travis Shaw’s Stats Before and After the Trade
| Stat | Before Trade (2015-2016) | After Trade (2017-2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | .252 | .236 |
| Home Runs | 29 | 81 |
| RBI | 92 | 277 |
| Games Played | 204 | 550 |
| Defensive Positions | 1B, 3B | 1B, 2B, 3B |
| All-Star Appearances | 0 | 0 |
Note: Stats are as of the end of the 2022 season.
The table shows that while Shaw’s batting average has declined since the trade, he has hit significantly more home runs and driven in more runs overall. He has also played more games and has shown versatility in the field, playing at first, second, and third base. However, he has not made any All-Star appearances in either period.
FAQs
Why did the Red Sox trade, Travis Shaw?
The Red Sox traded Shaw in order to acquire relief pitcher Tyler Thornburg, who they hoped would help strengthen their bullpen. While Shaw had shown potential as a young infielder, the Red Sox felt that they needed to make a move in order to address a weakness in their roster.
Did Travis Shaw want to be traded?
There is no indication that Shaw wanted to be traded from the Red Sox. In fact, he had a breakout season with the team in 2016 and was seen as a key contributor to their success that year. However, he has since embraced his role with the Brewers and has continued to perform well for the team.
Did the Red Sox regret trading Travis Shaw?
It is difficult to say whether or not the Red Sox regret trading Shaw, as the team has not made any public statements on the matter. However, given how well Shaw has performed for the Brewers in the years since the trade, it is possible that the team wishes they had held onto him instead.
Who were the minor league prospects that the Red Sox traded along with Travis Shaw?
The two minor league prospects that the Red Sox traded to the Brewers along with Shaw were infielder Mauricio Dubon and pitcher Josh Pennington. Dubon has since become a solid major league player with the San Francisco Giants, while Pennington has yet to make his major league debut.
Did Tyler Thornburg ever pitch well for the Red Sox?
Unfortunately, Tyler Thornburg’s tenure with the Red Sox was largely plagued by injuries, and he was never able to pitch at the level that the team had hoped for. He pitched in just 41 games over two seasons for the team, with an ERA of 5.63.
Conclusion
Travis Shaw was indeed traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers in December 2016. The trade was completed in exchange for relief pitcher Tyler Thornburg, with Shaw and two minor league prospects going to the Brewers.
While the trade was seen as a win-win at the time, it has become clear in the years since that the Brewers got the better end of the deal. Shaw has continued to perform well for the team, while Thornburg struggled with injuries and was ultimately released by the Red Sox.
The trade is a reminder of the unpredictability of trades in professional sports, and how even the best intentions can sometimes result in unexpected outcomes.
Nevertheless, Travis Shaw remains a solid major league player who has made a significant impact on both the Red Sox and the Brewers during his career.
