Pablo Sandoval may have worn out his welcome in Boston, but against all odds, he may have a suitor elsewhere.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the San Diego Padres have had internal discussions about Sandoval.
Word is padres have talked internally about panda. Level of interest unknown. Obvs would need $ offset. (SD not on no trade)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 1, 2016
Sandoval will be benched to start the regular season, and his agent lent credence to a possible trade by criticizing the Red Sox’ handling of him.
Panda, agent rick thurman of @BHSCouncil met today. Thurman: "if you want to win, why leave the ferrari in the garage?'
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 1, 2016
Silly at first, but a fitting comparison: Sandoval and a Ferrari are both expensive, not terribly practical, and won’t perform well if not taken care of.
A trade with the Padres would probably involve the Red Sox kicking in some money or taking on a big contract in return, or even possibly both. James Shields going back the other way would be logical, as the Red Sox are definitely open to adding more pitching and the Padres have reportedly been trying to move him. Still, one wonders what San Diego would want with Sandoval and his big money deal. Perhaps they think he’d be resuscitated if he returns to the NL West, but he hasn’t been an elite hitter in years, completely fell off the cliff in 2015, is not good defensively, has ongoing weight issues, and would be moving to an inferior hitters’ park. All that is before you remember that he’s still owed at least $75 million for four more years while on the verge of 30.
