Report: Rockies plan to release Shaw, McGee

The Colorado Rockies have placed Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee on waivers for the purpose of their release, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com.

Both are due $9 million in 2020 and hold a $9-million vesting option for 2021 based on appearances made this season. The Rockies would have automatically picked up the 2021 option for either reliever if he made 23 appearances this year, according to Bob Nightengale of The USA TODAY.

If a team claims Shaw or McGee on waivers before their official release, that club can pay the reliever the prorated league minimum and wouldn't be on the hook for the vesting option, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Prior to the 2018 season, the Rockies inked Shaw and McGee to identical three-year, $27-million contracts to bolster their bullpen during what was supposed to be a transformative offseason. The team also added Wade Davis on a record-breaking three-year, $52-million deal.

Over two seasons in Colorado, Shaw authored an underwhelming 5.61 ERA and 5.07 FIP while making 131 appearances. The 32-year-old right-hander was coming off of a strong campaign with the Cleveland Indians when he signed with the Rockies, leading Major League Baseball in appearances while boasting a 3.52 ERA and 2.96 FIP.

McGee didn't perform much better. The left-hander has been with the Rockies since the beginning of 2016, and he was re-signed prior to the 2018 campaign. Since that contract began, the 33-year-old has made 106 appearances while posting a 5.54 ERA with a 5.40 FIP.