Pros And Cons To Starting Travis Shaw At Third Base Over Pablo Sandoval
By Johnny Carey, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) --- Red Sox manager John Farrell announced Thursday that spring training sensation Travis Shaw will start over Pablo Sandoval at third base come opening day.
The decision comes only two days after Brock Holt was named the starting left fielder against right-handed pitching over Rusney Castillo, and with only four days til Opening Day, it all but finalizes a Red Sox lineup projected to look like the one being trotted out today:
If Farrell were relying on a fan poll to decide who to start, he would've named Shaw the starter three weeks ago. Today, that's finally become a reality.
While there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the prospect of Travis Shaw at third base, that isn't to say there aren't still risks.
Here's a look at some of the pros and cons of naming Travis Shaw the starting third baseman.
Pro: Farrell Is Taking Charge
As I wrote on Tuesday, starting Holt seemed to indicate that Farrell would be willing to bench highly paid players in order to produce what he deems to be the best lineup. So far, that appears to still be true. Over the course of three days, Farrell has sent a $72.5 and a $95 million contract to the bench in order to start two players making a combined $1.12 million.
While from a front office/spending position this is obviously far from ideal, Farrell's willingness to adapt is an encouraging sign for the 2016 season. It isn't his job to sign players -- it's his job to put out the best lineup each night given what he has, and right now, it's his belief that Shaw is a better fit than Sandoval. Simple as that. (It also helps that Dave Dombrowski wasn't involved in the signings of Castillo or Sandoval, or else there may have been a stronger pressure to play the big contracts).
Managing with the intent of igniting competition based on production worked in 2013, and it appears that Farrell is willing to do so on the hot seat in 2016.
"For right now to start the season, I feel this is the best for our team to go with this alignment," Farrell said about the decision. "My focus is on the guys that are in uniform, not what's attached to them or what their contract states."
Con: Shaw Doesn't Have Much Experience At Third Base And May Struggle
Shaw is having a great spring training, but that's all it is -- spring training. He started off on fire, before coming back down to earth with a rough 1-for-19 stretch. If his great start to spring training should be analyzed as truly promising, his ice cold streak should also be equally concerning.
Defensively, Shaw hasn't played much third base over the past few years. While he was a third baseman in college and has adapted well according to Farrell, there are bound to be some struggles in getting re-accustomed to playing the position in the majors.
At the plate, Shaw never really even tore it up in the minor leagues. His career minor league splits are as follows: .242/.359/.436/.795 in Double-A, and .256/.319/.395/.715 in Triple-A.
Would the Red Sox even be happy if Shaw matched his career minor league stats this year in the majors? Probably not.
Pro: Shaw Has Plenty To Prove
Due to all of the reasons for doubt, Shaw should be highly motivated.
He wasn't anywhere near the fast track to becoming a starter for the Red Sox just one year ago. Shaw was slated to start at first base in Pawtucket, after being asked to change positions in order to accommodate higher-rated prospects. There was little-to-no indication that he'd get a chance in the majors.
Of course, he did receive that opportunity late in the season last year, and for the most part, took advantage. A hot spring training continued fans' and management's infatuation with Shaw, but in reality, he still needs to prove himself in order to stick. His stats last year for Boston were better than his career minor league stats, so perhaps he thrives on the big stage? Either way, as a motivated young player who finally got his shot, Shaw knows that this is the chance of a lifetime.
The Red Sox are banking on Shaw being able to use that motivation to elevate his game.
Con: Sandoval Is A Useless Bench Player
Pablo Sandoval got benched for many reasons. His declining glove and tortoise speed, among other factors, certainly didn't help.
They also won't help on the bench. Sandoval is not a viable pinch runner or defensive replacement. Considering Shaw doesn't have much recent experience at third base, it would be nice to have someone who could come in to solidify the defense in late innings. That guy wouldn't be Sandoval.
Sandoval hasn't exactly seemed to possess the highest emotional fortitude in his time in Boston either, so by benching him, the Red Sox have to be prepared for a completely resigned Pablo Sandoval. Ownership built him up all offseason as ready to get back to form, and now he's found his way to the bench. You don't have to feel bad for the guy making $95 million to sit on the bench by any stretch of the imagination (nor should you), but there's no denying that he will be frustrated.
It would be ideal for the Red Sox if Sandoval were to become motivated by a benching, but judging by his attitude so far in Boston, that may be wishful thinking.
Pro: Move Shows Growing Confidence In Hanley Ramirez
All the talk going into Red Sox camp surrounded whether or not Hanley Ramirez would be able to adapt to first base. It was a major concern, as the also-expensive Ben Cherington signing certainly wasn't able to figure out a new position in left field last season. In the span of a month, though, it's almost as if Ramirez's 2015 season has disappeared from memory thanks to all of the attention placed on Sandoval. While Sandoval came in out of shape and said all the wrong things, Ramirez has taken advantage of his new opportunity in the infield.
With Shaw being named the starting third baseman, Ramirez has essentially been given a vote of confidence by Farrell. Shaw will be at third, and Holt will be in left the majority of the time, so with his two primary "backups" coming into spring moved into starting positions, Ramirez will be left on his own at first base. Of course, if he struggles, Shaw could be moved to first and Sandoval could be plugged back in at third, but for now, this move goes a long way in showing Farrell's confidence in his new first baseman.
Possible Pro Or Con: Is It Smart To Give Up On Sandoval?
His attitude has been awful this spring training, there's no way around that. But Pablo Sandoval was signed to a mega-deal because he is a talented player. It's hard to comprehend that Sandoval could have lost everything all in one season.
He's out of shape, yes, but he's always been out of shape. Has his body type taken a toll on his talents earlier than most players would decline? Possibly. Can he just not handle Boston? Again, possibly. We just won't know with him wasting away on the bench to serve as an expensive reminder of a horrible season.
Still, there is the chance that Sandoval might have just had a down season. It's all conjecture at this point, because while he did hit marginally better this spring, there's no proof that he's back to being a good player.
It's a 162-game season and if Sandoval doesn't quit on the team and/or get traded, it's very likely Sandoval will get another shot to prove his worth. Players have down years and bounce back, so all hope may not be lost with Sandoval.
We just won't know whether or not writing off Pablo Sandoval is smart until there's an injury, or if Shaw struggles at third base.
Johnny Carey is a senior at Boston College. You can find him on Twitter @JohnnyHeights.
