Sands was once a top prospect in the Dodgers system. He was an outfielder with huge power that hit more than 25 home runs in the minors three seasons in a row. He made it to the Majors for the first time in 2011 and played in 61 games, hitting four home runs. In 2012, he played in just nine games in the Majors, but hit .291/.368/.512 with 26 home runs and 108 RBIs in the minors. Sands was one of two players sent to the Red Sox after the regular season to complete the massive trade the Dodgers and Red Sox completed in August. Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, and Nick Punto were sent to the Dodgers for James Loney, Ivan DeJesus, and Allen Webster. Sands and Rubby De La Rosa were sent to the Red Sox after the season since they were on LA's 40 man roster and would have had to be exposed to waivers in order to get them to Boston. Since Sands was still 24 and having a huge season, it was pretty likely that he would be claimed.
But Sands was not the property of Boston for very long. Just two and a half months later, he and DeJesus, along with Stolmy Pimentel and Mark Melancon were sent to the Pirates in a deal for Joel Hanrahan and Brock Holt. In fact, none of the players Boston received in the Dodgers deal did much for the Red Sox, it was a deal more about getting payroll relief. The Pirates deal did not do much for the Red Sox either as Hanrahan would get injured early in the season and be out the rest of the year. Melancon turned into an All Star. Holt though has turned into a solid utility player who was also an All Star.
Since being traded to Pittsburgh, Sands has appeared in the Majors for the Rays, Indians, and White Sox, never playing more than 50 games in a season in the Majors. His minor league numbers have also declined. He was in the Giants system in 2018.
This card is of course a sticker autograph and the picture is clearly an artistic rendering. Sands likely never actually wore a Red Sox uniform. And yet, here it is.
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