Brewers manager Craig Counsell watches during Tuesday's workout in Phoenix.
MILWAUKEE — Travis Shaw’s attempt at a comeback with the Milwaukee Brewers is officially underway after the veteran third baseman passed his physical to finalize a one-year minor league contract.
Shaw, who turns 31 in April, spent three seasons with Milwaukee. After hitting 63 home runs with 187 RBIs in 2017-18, he started 2019 in a slump he never shook off and ultimately parted ways with the Brewers when the two sides couldn’t settle on a salary for 2020.
The split was disappointing for both Shaw and the organization, but he insisted Tuesday there were no hard feelings nor fences to be mended as spring training begins.
“It was a long time ago,” Shaw said. “Once I left, I turned the page and started over.”
A popular member of the Brewers’ tight-knit clubhouse, he spent 2020 with the Toronto Blue Jays but stayed in touch with a number of his teammates as well as manager Craig Counsell.
“This place kind of stood out to me from the start, and it was something that I hoped would come together,” Shaw said. “Obviously after (free agent third baseman Justin) Turner went back to L.A., it kind of happened quickly after that. I’m glad that it got done and I’m glad to be back.”
So is Counsell, whose agent, Barry Meister, works for the same agency that represents Shaw and helped facilitate the reunion. Although Shaw’s numbers weren’t eye-popping with Toronto last season (.239, 6 home runs, 17 RBIs), they’re a marked improvement from his disastrous 2019 and suggest he’s perhaps capable of performing the way he first did with Milwaukee.
Shaw isn’t guaranteed a job. The Brewers didn’t sign another third base candidate during the offseason but are considering Luis Urias for the job as well as other internal candidates.
“I don’t know how it’s going to roll for him this year,” Counsell said. “I don’t know what the opportunity is going to be for him. But I know with the way our roster is situated, he’s a fit.”
Shaw’s contract includes an opt-out that allows him to return to the open market if he isn’t added to the roster by March 15.
“I’m not looking at that right now,” Shaw said. “I’m just coming in every day trying to show that I still have a lot left in the tank and I’m confident I will be able to do that. If I play like I know I can play, I’m confident that Opening Day will work itself out.”
Game planning
The Brewers open Cactus League play Sunday against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, but it’s unlikely the teams will play a full nine-inning game.
As part of the 2021 health and safety protocols, Major League Baseball has allowed teams to shorten games to as few as five innings at the start of spring training, with a goal of protecting players from injuries and limiting interaction to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The length of games will be decided the night before.
“Both teams have to agree on it,” Counsell said. “I think you’ll probably see more seven-inning games than five-inning games, but the option (for five innings) is important to have.”
Garcia trims down
Avisail Garcia reported to camp looking noticeably more svelte than last season, shedding around 30 pounds from his 6-foot-4 frame.
Whether that helps him rebound from a disappointing offensive showing last season remains to be seen. but Counsell does think it will help Garcia as he shifts back to right field after spending most of 2020 in center when Lorenzo Cain opted out of the season.
“It’s very visible,” Counsell said. “He looks good. He worked hard at it and I think it’s going to be a good thing for him.”
Here’s everything you need to know as Milwaukee Brewers kick off spring training in Arizona
WHO'S ON THIRD
After Keston Hiura moved to first base to make way for Kolten Wong, third base remained the only position without an obvious starting candidate.
The Brewers brought Travis Shaw back on a minor-league contract, hoping he can return to the form in 2017-18, when he hit 63 home runs with 187 RBI. While Luis Urias (above) and former top-prospect Daniel Robertson are likely to get a shot at winning the job, too.
CATCHING CONUNDRUM
Acquired last winter in a trade with Seattle, Omar Narváez (above) was supposed to give the Brewers a much-needed offensive boost while admittedly being a work-in-progress behind the plate. Instead, Narvaez was one of many Brewers hitters to struggle last season but surprised the Brewers’ coaching staff and front office with his defensive improvements. He’s back again in 2021 but will have to battle for a job with the likes of Manny Piña, Jacob Nottingham and Luke Maile.
ROTATION SPOT
With Brett Anderson returning on a one-year deal, the Brewers will open camp with all five spots of their starting rotation seemingly filled. But as history has shown, it’s rare to get through an entire season with just five starters. So who’s waiting in the wings if and when the Brewers need a replacement? Eric Lauer (above) and Freddy Peralta will try to earn spots in the rotation this spring, as will former UW-Stevens Point standout Jordan Zimmermann, who is in camp on a minor league deal.
PLAYERS TO BE NAMED LATER
It was a quiet offseason for the Brewers, but they weren’t unique in that regard. Across baseball, trades and signings seemed to be few and far between as players and teams both waited out a winter of uncertainty. Now that camps are open, there’s a greater likelihood of trades and with more than 100 free agents still unsigned, the Brewers’ roster could have a new face or two before the season gets underway.
WILL IT LAST?
Baseball is back, but for how long? That might be the single biggest question this spring, not just for the Brewers but baseball as a whole. The pandemic still rages on and though vaccinations are on the rise, one infection can quickly become an outbreak that leaves an entire team sidelined indefinitely. Players resisted requests and suggestions to delay the start of spring training, and the regular season, by a month believing they proved last year they can complete a season safely. But the margin for error is still slim and another full-blown shutdown of spring training, which would ultimately impact the regular season, remains one large outbreak away.
SPRING TRAINING ROSTER
Teams are allowed to have up to 75 players in major league camp at any given time and the Brewers go into camp with all 40 of their roster spots filled along with 20 non-roster invitees. Once the regular season begins, active rosters will revert to the original 26-player limit that was planned for 2020 before the pandemic suspended operations. Teams still are allowed to add an additional player to the active roster for doubleheaders and can have a taxi squad of up to five players — including one catcher — on all road trips. Rosters will expand again in September, but only by two spots for a total of 28.
Pitchers (31): Brett Anderson, Clayton Andrews*, Aaron Ashby*, Alec Bettinger, Phil Bickford, Ray Black, Zach Brown*, Corbin Burnes, Jake Cousins*, J.P. Feyereisen, Dylan File, Josh Hader, Blaine Hardy*, Adrian Houser, Thomas Jankins*, Eric Lauer, Josh Lindblom, Hoby Milner*, Freddy Peralta, Angel Perdomo, Drew Rasmussen, Miguel Sanchez*, Ethan Small*, Brent Suter, Justin Topa, Quintin Torres-Costa*, Bobby Wahl, Devin Williams, Brandon Woodruff, Eric Yardley, Jordan Zimmermann*.
Catchers (6): Mario Feliciano, Payton Henry*, Luke Maile, Omar Narvaez, Jacob Nottingham, Manny Pina.
Infielders (11): Orlando Arcia, Zach Green*, Keston Hiura, Tim Lopes, Mark Mathias, Jace Peterson*, Daniel Robertson, Travis Shaw*, Brice Turang*, Luis Urias, Daniel Vogelbach, Kolten Wong.
Outfielders (11): Lorenzo Cain, Dylan Cozens*, Derek Fisher, Avisail Garcia, Tristen Lutz*, Billy McKinney, Garrett Mitchell*, Corey Ray, Pablo Reyes*, Tyrone Taylor, Christian Yelich.
* — Non-roster invitee
COACHING STAFF
Manager Craig Counsell’s coaching staff will have a different look in 2021. Third-base coach Ed Sedar has transitioned into a new, advisory role while longtime bullpen catcher Marcus Hanel’s contract was not renewed by the team after last season.
Sedar will be replaced on the staff by Quintin Berry, who had been the Brewers' minor-league outfield and base-running coordinator for the last two seasons after concluding his 13-year playing career serving as a player/coach with Class AAA Colorado Springs in 2018.
Néstor Corredor and Adam Weisenburger will replace Hanel and Robinson Diaz as the team's bullpen catchers.
The rest of Counsell's staff will remain intact moving forward, including hitting coaches Andy Haines (above left) and Jacob Cruz. Chris Hook and Steve Karsay will handle Milwaukee’s pitchers and bullpen, respectively, and Pat Murphy returns for a sixth season as Counsell’s bench coach.
Jason Lane, the Brewers’ first base coach last season, returns, too, though Counsell planned to decide during spring training where Lane and Berry would be used in games this season.
Manager — Craig Counsell (7th season). Bases — Quintin Berry (1st season), Jason Lane (5th season); Bullpen — Steve Karasy (3rd season); Bench — Pat Murphy (6th season); Hitting — Jacob Cruz (2nd season); Andy Haines (3rd season); Bullpen catchers — Néstor Corredor (1st season); Adam Weisenburger (1st season).
CACTUS LEAGUE SCHEDULE
The Cactus League schedule underwent a last-minute adjustment earlier this month with the elimination of split-squad games. The Brewers will play 27 games in Arizona — 14 at American Family Fields and 13 on the road — and wrap up their exhibition slate with a pair of contests against the Rangers at Globe Life Park on March 29 and 30 before returning to Milwaukee ahead of their April 1 regular-season opener against the Twins at American Family Field.
February: 28 — @ Chicago White Sox. March: 1 — at Diamondbacks; 2 — vs. Athletics.; 3 — at Padres; 4 — vs. Cleveland.; 5 — at Rockies; 6 — vs Cubs; 7 — OFF; 8 — vs. Angels; 9 — vs. Giants; 10 — at Athletics; 11 — vs. Royals; 12 — at Cubs; 13 — vs. Rangers; 14 — at Mariners; 15 — vs. Padres; 16 — at Dodgers; 17 — OFF DAY; 18 — at Angels; 19 — vs. Diamondbacks; 20 — at Reds (7 p.m.); 21 — vs. Mariners; 22 — vs Cleveland; 23 — vs. Dodgers; 25 — at Giants (8 p.m.); 26 — vs. White Sox; 27 — at Royals; 28 — at Reds; 29 — vs. Rangers (Arlington, Texas); 30 — vs. Rangers (Arlington, Texas).
(NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all games start at 2:10 p.m. local time prior to March 14 and 3:10 p.m. after, due to Arizona not observing Daylight Savings Time)
IF YOU GO
Unlike previous seasons, fans will not be able to watch the team’s workouts, which take place on the complex’s ancillary fields. That means no opportunities for kids — little and big alike — to get autographs and pictures. The team store at American Family Fields will be open and the team announced last week that a limited number of fans — up to 23% of capacity at the 10,000-seat stadium — will be allowed to attend games when Cactus League play gets underway.
Shaw
