MLB trade rumors: 5 third baseman Red Sox should target

The Boston Red Sox’s blind faith in Pablo Sandoval has not paid off, so here are five third baseman they should target in a trade.

In an apparent attempt to give Pablo Sandoval a clean slate this year, the Boston Red Sox traded corner infielder Travis Shaw to the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason. Meanwhile, Sandoval is on the disabled list with a knee injury after a slow start in April, and Shaw has produced nicely for the Brewers (.290, nine home runs, 34 RBI).

The Red Sox are floundering around .500 right (22-21 entering Monday’s action), with a broad sentiment it’s only a matter of time before they get hot and take their place toward the top of the AL East. But a notable hole exists in the lineup at third base, with all due respect to Sandoval fill-ins Josh Rutledge and Deven Marrero, and a trade has to be on team president Dave Dombrowski’s radar.

It’s a little over two months until the trade deadline, but here are five third baseman the Red Sox should consider making a move for.

5. Martin Prado, Miami Marlins

Prado went on the disabled list with a hamstring issue a couple weeks ago, and there’s no sign for when he’s set to return after he also started the year with the injury. But the Marlins are in last place in the NL East, and any veteran this side of Giancarlo Stanton could be available.

Prado is not a home run hitter, but he has a .293 career batting average with 59 doubles and 138 RBI over the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Assuming a return to the lineup at some point in the coming weeks, Prado could be on Boston’s radar.