Pablo Sandoval DFA'd: Seven third baseman options Red Sox could target in trades

From Todd Frazier to Josh Donaldson and everyone in between

The Boston Red Sox designated third baseman Pablo Sandoval for assignment Friday, effectively ending his tenure with the organization.

The Red Sox have a few internal options to throw at the hot corner, including top prospect Rafael Devers. Yet, all things considered, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski seems more likely to find his next third baseman on the trade market.

Just who might the Red Sox target? Let's take a look at seven options, ranked in the order of likelihood.

If the Red Sox do slake their third-base thirst via trade, then Todd Frazier is the most obvious fit on the market. He's an impending free agent playing on a bad team that has made multiple sell-off trades over the past half-year, including a big one just this week. Frazier won't threaten for a batting title, but he walks and he bops enough to grade as an above-average hitter (he has a 112 OPS+ since the start of 2015). The Red and White Sox spent a lot of time negotiating the terms on the winter's Chris Sale trade, and that familiarity could help facilitate a quick deal.

Eduardo Nunez is similar to Frazier in a few regards: 1. He too has a forthcoming date with free agency; and 2. He is also currently employed by a team without realistic playoff aspirations. On the field, however, the two differ greatly. Nunez's game is old school, centered on leveraging his above-average speed by putting the ball in play -- even at the expense of doing sabermetrically approved things, like working counts and hitting for power. Limited geek love aside, Nunez does provide additional value as a volume thief who has swiped 57 bags at an 81 percent clip since the start of 2016. Buyer beware: He's coming off a month-long DL stint due to a bum hammy.

Hitting for average and providing a capable, versatile glove have long been the cornerstones of Josh Harrison's game. This season, though, he has already taken 22 walks, tying his previous career high and topping his totals in each of the past two seasons. Curious. Add in how Harrison has been struck by 20 pitches, and he's reaching base at a healthier rate than ever before. Of course, it's possible the Pittsburgh Pirates won't make Harrison available -- he's signed through 2018 for $10.25 million, with a pair of club options thereafter -- but if they do, he would make a lot of sense for the Red Sox -- and, well, for most everyone else, too. He is primarily a second baseman, but has played 36 games at third base this season as well as 18 games in the outfield. 

Yunel Escobar's availability hinges on whether the Los Angeles Angels want to let it ride on their playoff chances. Escobar is a free agent at season's end, and is as well known for playing the game with verve as he is for wearing out his welcome quicker than a roommate's significant other who never seems to leave. Everyone knows what to expect here: above-average hitting reliant upon singles; a strong arm; and some shockingly poor foot speed from someone who not long ago was an ace shortstop. That's fine. It's not exciting -- and, in this package, it often can be frustrating -- but it's fine.

With the Miami Marlins potentially entering fire-sale mode to shed salary and appease bidders, Martin Prado seems like a given to hit the trade block. The catches are that Prado hasn't played well this season (he has a 78 OPS+ in 33 games) and that he's owed nearly $30 million over the next two years, which will take him through his age-35 campaign. Prado has long been an underrated talent -- he has amassed just two fewer wins above replacement than Justin Upton since their shared trade before the 2013 season -- but there's a chance he loses credibility quicker than a Joseph Mitchell profile, which would leave the Red Sox with yet another dead-weight contract.

You figure the Kansas City Royals will hold onto Mike Moustakas (and most of their other expiring contracts) and make one last run at the postseason. If the Royals do fall from contention, however, Moustakas would be a fit. His bat has been singing like it's auditioning for a rock opera, as he has already eclipsed his career high in home runs and is currently sporting a would-be career-best 120 OPS+. The Royals will (presumably) recoup a draft pick this winter from losing Moustakas, so they can afford to be conservative in their deadline approach.

Josh Donaldson being traded to the Red Sox is about as likely as a kangaroo defeating a gorilla in a boxing match. But hey, Dombrowski owes it to himself to check in, right?