Trade rumors involving the Red Sox's Pablo Sandoval are starting pick up, with the latest report that the Padres are scoutiung the third baseman. Would a trade be good for Pablo Sandoval's fantasy baseball value?
Well, no, but fantasy baseball owners should still be pulling hard for the Red Sox to trade Kung Food Panda for a couple of reasons.
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Pablo Sandoval trade rumors
First, Sandoval leaving the Red Sox and the AL East would most likely dampen the fantasy outlook for 2016 for the declining third baseman. That's good for fantasy owners because it should mean that fewer people will draft him, or they at least won't hold onto him as long waiting for the rebound to (finally) happen.
It's tempting to think Sandoval could bounce back in a strong offense and hitter-friendly division, but not so much if he ends up in, say, San Diego. In other words, a trade out of Boston could save a lot of potential Sandoval owners a lot of potential headaches.
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Fantasy sleeper Travis Shaw starting for Red Sox?
Second, Sandoval leaving Boston, no matter where he ends up, creates a fantasy baseball sleeper in Travis Shaw, who would likely take over the hot corner for the Red Sox (or first base if the Red Sox try to move Hanley Ramirez back to third). UPDATE: The Red Sox have named Shaw the starter at third base, which could mean a Sandoval trade is imminent.
Shaw comes with big power potential after hitting 13 homers in 226 at-bats with the Sox last year as a part-timer, and 21 jacks in the minors in 2014. Adding 3B-eligibility (if he doesn't already have it) would only sweeten the deal for this breakout candidate. We actually like Shaw as a fantasy sleeper even if Sandoval stays in Boston, in which case he'll be much cheaper on draft day.
Long story short: Draft and stash Shaw in fantasy leagues just in case, and don't bother taking the risk on Sandoval; he could end up in a bad situation one way or another.