The Boston Red Sox took the first major step in admitting their mistake with the Pablo Sandoval signing from last offseason, giving the starting third baseman's gig to Travis Shaw. Now the team could be looking to find a new home for the player known as the "Kung Fu Panda" and it appears the San Diego Padres have some interest.
Heyman added that the level of interest San Diego has in Sandoval isn't known, but news of their interest doesn't come as a surprise given their reported trips to scout him in recent weeks. Boston would love to unload Sandoval's five-year, $95 million deal, but the return and how much of his contract they have to eat could decide if he lands elsewhere.
San Diego is not going to contend in 2016, after trying to make a big push in 2015 backfired, the team has re-committed to building with youth. While the 29-year-old Sandoval isn't exactly youthful, it's still understandable that a team like the Padres would be willing to take a chance on him returning to some of the form that destroyed them when he was with the Giants.
It could be beneficial for Sandoval to return to California, somewhere that could make him more comfortable and there would be far less pressure on him. He has always been a player who was sensitive to public perception and pressure, which always made Boston a poor fit.
As of now, Sandoval holds little to no fantasy value as a bench bat for the Red Sox. If he is traded to San Diego and becomes their starting third baseman, than he could be a fantasy bench bat in 14-plus team leagues.