Boston Red Sox players that could be expendable in a trade
By Rick McNair
This is the lower end of the expendables spectrum, since Shaw’s value has diminished significantly in 2016. The good news is his potential versatility at playing first, third and even left field and the bad news is the quality of his defense – average at best.
Shaw won the third base job in spring training with an excellent performance while Pablo Sandoval had some nagging injuries and excessive calories. Eventually, the 0-7 Panda had shoulder surgery and was done for the year. Meanwhile, Shaw continued to produce and was hitting close to .300 and then, like the financial markets in 2008, Shaw collapsed – only worse.
The second half Shaw’s average was .194 and for the season his slash line was .242/.306/.421 with 16 home runs and 71 RBI. Shaw answered all those nagging questions as to why a career .261 hitter in the minors was doing so well in the majors. Shaw’s playing time decreased and is potentially his last at-bat as a Red Sox was a fly ball that ended the Cleveland series in the playoffs.
Sandoval will be back and will have to prove himself as a dependable player. The Red Sox certainly have other options and that could even be resigning Aaron Hill – another disappointing addition during the season or Super Prospect Yoan Moncada and slightly less super Rafael Devers are either a year or years away.
The Red Sox always have their ultimate super glue – Brock Holt – to potentially fill in if Sandoval shows up looking like a Sumo champion. They could also keep Shaw around hoping he provides some competition for the job is somehow finds his MIA bat.
The movement of Shaw could be two-fold: A large package in which Shaw is included or a minor transaction of one disappointment for another.
Trade Chance: High