Pablo Sandoval has been released from the Boston Red Sox. Sandoval left the bay area as a World Series champion back before the 2015 season. He found a new home in the small but historic confines of Fenway Park. In the process, he turned down a massive contract offer to remain in San Francisco, therefore earning the nickname Pablo Little Money Sandoval. Since arriving in the American League, Sandoval’s career has turned out much more bitter than sweet. Due to multiple factors, David Dombrowski (President of Baseball Operations for the Red Sox) has let go of the third baseman. Let’s take a look to such factors.
Health Issues
Kung Fu Panda settled relatively quickly in his new home. He played 126 games while showing his skills in the infield’s hot corner in 2015. Despite doing somewhat well with the glove, the Dominican player really seemed to struggle on offense. His average sunk down below .250 and he contributed with a mere 47 runs batted in. The following year was not any brighter for the Sandoval. In fact, it was more bitter than cheap coffee. During an April 9th game against Toronto, he exited the ballgame with an injured shoulder. His aching shoulder went under the knife successfully, goodbye 2016. This season did not look all that promising for the veteran, but he was going to give it a try. That was until this year’s April 23rd when Sandoval exited a game in Camden Yards with a high knee sprain. As mentioned before, despite his health issues, the Dominican infielder kept trying.
Pushed Out
As with any other baseball team, wherever there is a gap, someone must fill it. Due to Sandoval’s poor health, Brock Holt left his utility role to play third. Lately, even Deven Marrero has been covering third base when Holt has a day off. Definitely, such scenario was expected. Not even the Babe Ruth Yankees could play without a qualified number 5 infielder. On his behalf, Holt has done a solid job on the hot corner. Such a performance makes Sandoval a forgettable player for the Boston rooters. This is a big contrast from when Sandoval first came to town.
Going, Going… Gone!
Sandoval’s departure from New England had a very homer-like approach. It was no secret and by no means was it a sudden move. Anyone who follows America’s pastime on a daily basis could see it coming. Some days he was a trade rumor and on others we simply had nothing to say about him. The Red Sox could not find a trade partner, so he was released. And no, he did not get the Bobby Bonilla treatment.
What does it mean?
For Sandoval, this means he is a free agent just like his former teammate, Barry Zito. But for this rookie writer this means much more. It is the culmination of a fall. Sandoval’s release from the Red Sox represents the complete stop of a carer that at one point seemed to rise and rise like a sky rocket. It also provides for a very clear look at the infielder’s career. On one hand, there’s a three time World Series winner, two-time All Star, and a World Series MVP. On the other hand, we find a battered, injured in more ways than one, and forgotten panda. He is, in fact, an all-in-one player. He has the glory and the shame to prove it.
Not even he knows yet what the future holds for his career. It seems that he is presumably in talks with the Giants, ahead of a possible comeback to San Francisco. Unless the guys in black and orange are out of their minds, they will offer him a minor league deal. There is no reason for taking a risk with such an out of shape player. More importantly, Bochy’s guys are out of contention this season. If he looks to add some offensive power to the San Francisco team, it will have to happen next season. Regardless of Sandoval’s condition, such a move will not be so bad for a fanbase that still misses Matt Duffy and craves something to spark up an awful season.
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What once was. I’ll wrap this piece of writing by borrowing some lines from Frank Sinatra’s There used to a ballpark:
“And the sky has got so cloudy, when it used to be so clear.
And the summer went so quickly this year.
Yes, there used to be a ballplayer right here.”
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