Yankees trade rumors: New York could explore Brewers’ Travis Shaw

The Giancarlo Stanton trade has been the biggest move of the offseason so far, but it hasn’t been the Yankees’ only move. Brian Cashman also flipped Chase Headley and Bryan Mitchell to the Padres last month. The trade shed some money from the payroll, as Headley was set to make $13 million in 2018, and also left the Yankees without a third baseman. Could a trade with the Brewers help the Yankees’ infield?

According to Jim Bowden, the Brewers are one of the teams pursuing free agent Mike Moustakas. If Milwaukee signed Moustakas, they would flip their current third baseman, Travis Shaw. The Brewers are said to view the Yankees, Braves, and Mets as potential trade partners.

Shaw could be a good fit for the Yankees if they don’t feel comfortable going with their internal options, and also don’t want to waste money on someone like Todd Frazier. The 27-year-old lefty made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2015 and hit .251/.312/.442 through 210 games during his time in Boston. He was traded to the Brewers last offseason as part of the deal that sent Tyler Thornburg to the Red Sox. Shaw is coming off of his best season yet, having launched 31 home runs and slashed .273/.349/.513 with 119 wRC+ in 2017.

Though Shaw has primarily played third base in the majors, he has also spent time at first base, and the Yankees could use a backup there, as well. Shaw is pre-arbitration eligible, so he also wouldn’t hurt the Yankees’ goal of getting under the luxury tax threshold.

On the other hand, Cashman recently said that the Yankees are prepared to go with both Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar in the infield. Torres is expected to take the open second base spot, which leaves third base for Andujar. Thairo Estrada and Tyler Wade could also be in the mix for those open positions, if the Yankees decide to hold one of their classic spring training competitions. However, it could be risky for the Yankees to start two rookies on a team that is poised to return to the postseason.

There’s no telling just what type of package the Brewers would want in return for Shaw. Given the Yankees’ current outfield logjam, they have made it clear that they are ready and willing to part with Clint Frazier. Chance Adams is another player that the Yankees supposedly made available during their trade talks with the Pirates for Gerrit Cole. Maybe Cashman could sneak Jacoby Ellsbury into a deal somehow.

Would you be open to the Yankees trading for Travis Shaw, or do you think they should stick with their internal options at third base?