San Francisco Giants: 5 best landing spots for Pablo Sandoval

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring a run in the second inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre on April 23, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 29: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros throws to first base to get out Jonathan Schoop #16 of the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning of the game on April 29, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Astros 1-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

3. Houston Astros

Why would the Houston Astros of all teams need Sandoval?

With second baseman Jose Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa both out, incumbent third baseman Alex Bregman is being asked to do a lot on the infield.

Since Bregman can play second base and shortstop, Sandoval could be used to fill at least one of the voids in the Houston infield. Yuli Gurriel and Tyler White both play first base, but Gurriel can play second and third as well. Adding Sandoval to that mix would give the team further flexibility.

As far as the lineup goes, Sandoval could easily be a designated hitter when Altuve and Correa return. The Astros already have one of the most balanced lineups in baseball and one of the most potent attacks in the league to boot, so adding Sandoval would be a case of the rich getting richer.

The Astros have one of the deepest farm systems in Major League Baseball, so the Giants might be able to extract some good value in return. J.J. Matijevic, a first baseman/outfielder who checks in as the No. 20 prospect in the Houston system per MLB.com, would make a ton of sense as a return piece for San Francisco.