Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval is coming off a disappointing 2015 season and is battling with Travis Shaw to be the team’s starting option at the position, making Sandoval potentially expendable.
Continue for updates.
Padres Potentially Interested in Acquiring Sandoval
Monday, March 28
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the San Diego Padres have had a scout in Florida “taking a close look at Pablo Sandoval, post-back injury.”
Cafardo added that it’s unclear if there’s more to the story, however.
Nonetheless, there is a link between the Padres and Sandoval, as the team tried to sign the third baseman in 2014, per Cafardo. He also noted that San Diego is “open to trading veteran starter James Shields” and that the Red Sox have been linked to Shields, along with the Baltimore Orioles.
So it’s hard not to connect the dots on a potential Sandoval-for-Shields deal, although that’s clearly just speculation at this point.
Sandoval struggled in 2015, hitting just .245 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI. And Shaw has pushed him during spring training to the point that the Red Sox still haven’t decided on a starter at third base, though they are expected to do so before Thursday, per Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald.
If the Red Sox ultimately name Shaw the starter, Sandoval will instantly become an attractive trade chip for Boston, and more than just the Padres may take an interest in the veteran third baseman.
You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com