MLB trade rumors: 5 moves Red Sox should make

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May 5, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Josh Rutledge (32) hits a single in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Find a third baseman

With Pablo Sandoval and Marco Hernandez both on the disabled list, the Red Sox have been forced to turn to Josh Rutledge at third base. The position has become a defensive black hole for Boston, with the trio combining for 13 errors on the year. Sandoval is expected to be out until the end of May, and the Red Sox should prepare themselves to be without him for even longer given his track record.

The Red Sox were running a big risk entering 2017 with Sandoval as their starting third baseman and no real fallback option. Trading Travis Shaw to the Milwaukee Brewers for Tyler Thornburg is a move that has backfired spectacularly. Shaw has raked for the Brew Crew, while Thornburg has ye to throw a pitch this season.

Before landing on the DL, Sandoval was hitting a meek .213/.269/.377 and had somehow been worth -0.5 WAR in only 17 games. The Red Sox may no longer be able to continue telling themselves that things will turn around before Sandoval’s contract runs out after the 2019 season. The $95-million investment in an out-of-shape third baseman may be one of the worst in MLB history.

Luckily for the Red Sox, there will be several options popping up on the trade market at third base. Todd Frazier will be available with the Chicago White Sox working on their rebuild. His batting average has tanked since the middle of the 2015 season, but he remains a strong defender with a bat that would play well in Fenway Park. Mike Moustakas could be on the block for the Royals, as could Nick Castellanos. Another interesting name to consider is Brian Dozier of the Minnesota Twins. He has always been a second baseman, but should have the defensive chops to slide over to the hot corner.

Next: MLB trade rumors: 5 moves the Yankees should make

No matter how you slice it, the Red Sox are only hurting themselves by continuing to wait for Sandoval to find his old form. It cost them Shaw, a terrific defender at two positions, and it is now hurting the rest of their lineup. Sandoval is owed a hefty sum over the next two years, but the Red Sox would be better off finding a new third baseman for the rest of this season and eating their losses with Sandoval moving forward.

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