Fantasy Fallout: Travis Shaw Provides a Powerful Solution to Corner Infield Woes

Here are the fantasy repercussions of the Boston Red Sox naming Travis Shaw as the Opening Day third baseman over veteran Pablo Sandoval:

Season-Long Redraft Leagues

Red Sox manager John Farrell named Shaw as the starting third baseman for Opening Day. The maligned veteran Sandoval will be moved to the bench to begin the season, just one year into a five-year, $95 million contract - erasing any hope for a bounce back season.

Primarily a first baseman in his rookie season, Shaw can still slide into a corner infield slot in fantasy lineups until he earns 3B eligibility in all formats. He slashed .270/.327/.487 over 248 major-league plate appearances as a rookie, hitting 13 home runs and driving in 36.

Shaw posted an odd reverse-split as a rookie. The left-handed hitter averaged .329 against lefty pitchers, while struggling to the tune of a .236 average against righties. Both were in small sample sizes and should correct themselves as he gains more plate appearances.

Shaw's expected to hit sixth in Boston's lineup to begin the season, providing him with plenty of RBI opportunities. He totaled 20-plus home runs over multiple minor league levels in each of the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He should be added in all AL-only leagues and in deeper, mixed leagues with corner infield or utility slots. He could be drafted as a top-20 first or third baseman.

Auction Leagues

Sandoval was going largely unowned or as nothing more than a $1 player in both AL-only and mixed auctions. His owners won't need to worry too much about immediately cutting the cord, as the few willing to take the draft-day risk hadn't invested much.

Shaw immediately becomes a little more interesting for those yet to draft. He should be valued between $3 and $5 in mixed leagues, and as high as $8 in AL-only formats. He isn't guaranteed to hold onto the job all season, but being named the Opening Day starter is a sign that Farrell doesn't care how much money Sandoval is owed, and he won't play him solely because of that.

Shaw had a good spring training, rightfully earning himself this new role. He has an adequate spot in the lineup of one of the MLB's best offenses from the second half of 2015. He can be an above-average contributor in home runs, runs and RBIs, while not killing a team batting average.

Keeper/Dynasty Leagues

Shaw's value is at its highest in keeper formats. He'll turn 26 years old in the first half of April. He hasn't been one of the Red Sox' highest touted prospects, but he has performed across every minor-league level since being selected as a ninth-round pick in the 2011 amateur draft.

With Boston's hole at third base and a potential opening at his natural first base in the near future, Shaw should be a key piece for years to come. His strikeout rate will decline as he becomes more accustomed to major league pitching and his walk rate could return to the 12-15% range it sat throughout much of the minor leagues. His best days are still ahead.