It’s been an utter disaster between the Boston Red Sox and Pablo Sandoval ever since the two sides agreed to a deal two years ago.
Ever since Sandoval left the San Francisco Giants to sign the five-year, $95 million deal with Boston before the 2015 season, it’s been one thing after another for Sandoval that has spelled disaster and bust of a contract for the guy known as “Kung Fu Panda.”
Weight issues have again reared its head for Sandoval in each of his two seasons, and then after losing his starting third baseman job to Travis Shaw, Sandoval was shelved for the season after needing to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery in early 2016, missing all but three games in the season.
Two years after Sandoval left the Bay Area to sign in Beantown, there might be a chance for a reunion, as Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald has reported that the Giants are considering a reunion with Sandoval and making a possible trade with Boston for the veteran third baseman.
“At least internally, the Giants have considered a reunion with third baseman Pablo Sandoval, a baseball source told the Herald. How motivated the Red Sox should be to trade Sandoval depends on two other questions: how well do they believe the third baseman can control his eating, and how much of the $58 million he’s guaranteed through 2019 (including a 2020 buyout) should they be willing to eat?”
For Boston, the move would be simple for them to consider, especially for president Dave Dombrowski, who did not sign Sandoval that winter and probably would love nothing more than to shed a contract from the roster for 2017. Sandoval has not fit in with Boston from Day 1 and dealing him away would allow them to wipe their hands clean of that free agent deal.
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With a possible trade to San Francisco though, how much of the contract would the Giants want the Red Sox to consider eating? After all, Sandoval’s value is virtually nothing considering he hasn’t played a baseball game in almost seven months and even when he did, he wasn’t exactly looking like the player who got that $95 million deal two years ago.
On the flip side, San Francisco looking to deal for Sandoval makes sense considering they are in need of more offensive firepower after watching their postseason quest end early in the National League Divisional Series. They’re already looking for a closer, and now it’s clear that the team is looking for additional offense to help them compete in the National League West with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sandoval, if healthy, is an upgrade at third base over San Francisco’s current options at third with Conor Gillaspie and Eduardo Nunez and if anything, going back to the place where he had his most success through his first seven years of his career would be ideal.
And if you remember, the Giants made an offer to Sandoval when he was a free agent two years ago; an offer that was right around the same offer the Red Sox made to him. Obviously, the Giants don’t have hard feelings towards him considering they are contemplating re-acquiring him.
Boston clearly doesn’t want him around anymore and has no future plans for him and the Giants never wanted to lose him two years ago. A reunion seems like it would best for all sides and give Sandoval a chance to revive a once solid career.