Red Sox: Travis Shaw aims to make former team regret trading him
By Sean Penney
Third baseman Travis Shaw is thriving with his new team, while the Boston Red Sox are still struggling to fill the void at the hot corner.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Let’s hope that statement doesn’t come to define Dave Dombrowski’s legacy as Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations.
Some trades work out for the best while others ultimately backfire, but if there’s one thing we can say about Dombrowski it’s that he’s never shy about making a bold move.
The Red Sox needed a reliever capable of locking down the eighth inning setup role. Travis Shaw was coming off of a decent enough season to turn himself into a trade chip, one that Dombrowski found expendable with a slimmer and more motivated Pablo Sandoval back in the mix at third base. On paper, the deal made sense.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t panned out that way so far for Boston. The bullpen has been fine, among the best in the league in fact, although it’s been no thanks to Tyler Thornburg. The reliever the Red Sox acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Shaw last winter has yet to take the mound this season as he continues to work his way back from a shoulder injury that landed him on the 60-day disabled list.