Red Sox Acquire Familiar First Base Help

The Boston Red Sox have turned to a familiar face for some extra help at first base, bringing back, after an absence of five years, Travis Shaw. 

The Mayor is back!

The #RedSox today claimed INF Travis Shaw off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. pic.twitter.com/VSBTKbCBmO

— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 15, 2021

The Red Sox claimed Shaw off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers, where he was also doing his second tour of duty. Shaw had his best years in the majors with the Brewers, in 2017 and 2018, hitting 31 and 32 home runs, respectively. 

Shaw's first two years in the bigs were spent in Boston, where he hit .251 with a total of 29 HR in 2015 and '16. 

Shaw spent 2020 with the Toronto Blue Jays, then went back to Milwaukee this season, where he struggled, to the tune of a .191 batting average, with just 6 HR and a meager .616 OPS. He's been out with a dislocated shoulder since June 9th. 

The 31-year-old corner man hasn't had a truly productive season in the majors since 2018, but the Red Sox have been looking for help at 1B all season, and were unable to land any of the trade deadline's big fish, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant or Joey Gallo. 

So it's a second stint in Beantown for Shaw, who will try to recapture a little of the old magic. 

Photo Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports