Blue Jays agree to deal with infielder Shaw

TORONTO -- Just three days after announcing their acquisition of Korean ace Hyun-Jin Ryu, and two days following the signing of Japanese hurler Shun Yamaguchi, the Blue Jays announced their one-year, $4 million deal with third baseman Travis Shaw on Monday morning.

The 29-year-old Shaw is looking to recoup his value after a tough 2019 season with the Brewers, during which he hit .157 with seven homers across 86 games. Milwaukee optioned him to Triple-A San Antonio twice during the summer before non-tendering him Dec. 2.

The left-handed-hitting Shaw also spent 2017-18 with the Crew, during which he recorded 63 homers, 57 doubles, 187 RBIs and an .844 OPS. The Ohio native was selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round of the 2011 Draft, and he has 99 home runs and 310 RBIs over five Major League seasons.

The deal reportedly includes performance incentives that could bump its total value up to $4.675 million. Shaw is expected to play mostly at first base, a source told MLB.com’s Feinsand, while mixing in at third base and designated hitter. Shaw has big league experience manning first base, and he could slot in there for the Blue Jays with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. currently occupying the hot corner.

In order to make room for Shaw on Toronto’s 40-man roster, infielder Richard Ure?a was designated for assignment. The 23-year-old shortstop had a slash line of .243/.273/.324 over 30 games for the Blue Jays last season. He spent most of his year at Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .274 with six homers, 18 doubles, four triples and 52 RBIs in 98 games.

When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must either be traded, released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.