Sandoval Lost For Season Due To Shoulder Surgery
Pablo Sandoval will not be on the field for the Boston Red Sox anymore this season.
No, the overweight and unproductive $95 million man isn't headed to a new team. Instead the struggling third baseman is set to undergo surgery this week to repair a torn labrum and clean up some rotator cuff issues.
Coming off of seven rather productive seasons and three world series titles with the San Francisco Giants, Sandoval has been a major let down since signing a five year, $95 million deal with the Sox back in the winter of 2014.
Sandoval struggled mightily last season, slashing a measly .245/.292/.366. He then entered spring camp this season well over weight and lost the starting third base job to Travis Shaw, who has actually been a huge surprise in Boston so far.
Honestly, this news is actually probably welcomed from the Boston front office. Now, they have an excuse to keep Sandoval, who they clearly don't have aspirations to play, off the field. He wasn't part of the new regime's plan, rather a bad hold over contract from Ben Cherington's time as GM.
Boston can now focus on Shaw, who has showed he should be considered a large part of this team's future, whether that be at third or eventually first base.
For Pablo, maybe this time away from the game can help rejuvenate the out-of-shape and oft criticized Kung Fu Panda. If he takes the time to address his personal issues that center on food, he could get himself healthier and force the Sox to give him a legitimate look next season.