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Red Sox Rankings: Top 5 Surprises of 2016 Season

By Drew Peabody

Apr 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) throws his helmet away after being forced out at second base in the seventh inning against Toronto Blue Jay at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) throws his helmet away after being forced out at second base in the seventh inning against Toronto Blue Jay at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) connects for an rbi base hit against the St. Louis Cardinals during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Red Sox defeated the Cardinals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) connects for an rbi base hit against the St. Louis Cardinals during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Red Sox defeated the Cardinals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

2.  Sandoval has started one game at third base this season.

When the news broke that Travis Shaw was competing with Pablo Sandoval for the third baseman job in Spring Training, fans could scarcely have believed how this would turn out.  Shaw won the third base job with his stellar hitting and fielding.  Sandoval managed to lose that job, committing four errors and not hitting with much authority (.204/.231/.408. two homers and seven RBI in 52 plate appearances).  The Panda said and did all the right things but they had a $19 million a year player sitting on the bench, that really couldn’t last could it?

It can, and has lasted.  After playing one game over the first week and a half  of the season, Sandoval came up with a shoulder injury that immediately landed him on the disabled list even before an exploratory MRI. Apparently he woke up with soreness that day. Yesterday it was revealed that Sandoval cannot be examined for another two weeks because of swelling. This was attributed to all the extra hitting he has done to keep himself ready when he is not playing every day.

The two week delay is troubling. It would be shocking if the Red Sox gave up on Sandoval and traded him away and paid part of his contract to get rid of him. Considering their moves this Spring and early season regarding payroll, it is not out of the realm of possibility Sandoval would be traded and that Travis Shaw will be the starting third baseman for the foreseeable future.

Next: 3. Rusney Castillo is in the minors

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