San Diego Padres Reportedly Have Interest in Pablo Sandoval
By Nick Fustor
Pablo Sandoval is thought to be untradeable, given his contract and declining production. The San Diego Padres may prove otherwise.
The San Diego Padres are reportedly interested in Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval, per Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. With the emergence of first/third baseman Travis Shaw throughout the second half of last season and this Spring, it’s possible the Red Sox believe Sandoval is expendable. Cafardo noted that the Padres had sent a scout to Red Sox camp to take a look at Sandoval, who is currently dealing with a back injury that may keep him out for Opening Day.
After a dismal first season with the Red Sox after signing a five-year, $95 million deal, the 29-year-old’s stock is down entering 2016.
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Sandoval was among the worst everyday position players last season, as he posted a .245 batting average to go along with a .658 OPS and 10 home runs, which amounted to a putrid -2.0 WAR. The Panda also played the worst defense of his career, finishing the season with a -21.9 UZR/150 and -11 defensive runs saved.
Shaw, on the other hand, was a pleasant surprise for Boston in a season filled with disappointments. The soon to be 26-year-old slashed .270/.327/.487 with 13 home runs in 248 plate appearances.
This Spring, he’s turned things up another notch – batting .353 with a .949 OPS and two home runs. As it stands right now, Shaw will likely start the season as the everyday third basemen in Sandoval begins the season on the disabled list – and could possibly move into a platoon role if he continues to play well.
However, there’s still thought that Sandoval’s 2015 season was a fluke, and he could be in line for a major rebound. But if the Red Sox are set on contending and Sandoval continues to struggle – though he has hit a respectable .265 in Spring Training – the team could flip him at some point during the season. In comes San Diego.
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This wouldn’t be the first time the Padres took on a struggling Red Sox third baseman, as the team flipped catcher Ryan Hanigan for former top prospect Will Middlebrooks last offseason. Now, with Middlebrooks in Milwaukee after struggling in 2015, the Padres will rely on Yangervis Solarte to be their everyday starter at the hot corner.
Solarte, 28, hit .270/.320/.428 last season while playing third, second and first base. A healthy and productive Sandoval could be a major upgrade for a San Diego team devoid of consistent offense.
As far as trade candidates go, Cafardo noted veteran starter James Shields as a possible player Boston may have interest in – but it’s also possible the Sox look to target 2014 All-Star Tyson Ross.
Shields is owed roughly $65 million on his deal and had a solid year with San Diego, posting a 3.91 ERA and 4.45 FIP while posting his 9th straight season with 200 innings pitched. Ross, on the other hand, has a 3.08 ERA over his last three seasons and is only about to turn 29.
While both players would represent upgrades in the middle of the rotation, Ross has the potential to be a very solid number two starter behind new Red Sox ace David Price. A return package for either players would likely have to include a top prospect, which would not be a problem for the prospect rich Boston.
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If Travis Shaw continues to shine with Boston, a Sandoval trade is a very likely possibility. If it will be to San Diego, however, remains unclear.