Boston, MA (SportsNetwork.com) – The Boston Red Sox have confirmed that the
team has come to terms with 2012 World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval on a five-
year contract.
Multiple media outlets reported Monday that the former San Francisco Giants
third baseman had agreed to a five-year deal worth $95 million with the Red
Sox, who also landed three-time All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez with a four-
year, $88-million contract that the club has yet to announce.
According to Boston radio station WEEI, Sandoval’s pact also includes a $17
million team option for the 2020 season. The two-time All-Star received a $3
million bonus and will earn $17 million in each of the next three seasons and
$18 million in 2018 and 2019.
The Giants had corroborated the reports of Sandoval’s departure by releasing a
statement on Monday that wished one of the team’s most popular players well.
“Pablo Sandoval has been a key member of the Giants since breaking into the
majors with us in 2008,” said the statement. “He has been with us through some
of the greatest moments in San Francisco Giants history — including all three
World Series championships. We will never forget his World Series MVP
performance in 2012 and his numerous contributions to the 2014 championship.
His connection with Giants fans — young and old — is truly special and he
will be greatly missed. We wish him nothing but the best in Boston.”
Sandoval will likely become Boston’s new third baseman after spending six full
seasons manning the position in San Francisco.
In 869 games for the Giants since 2008, Sandoval is a .294 hitter with 192
doubles, 106 homers and 462 runs batted in. He batted .279 with 16 homers and
73 RBI in 157 games this past season.
Sandoval has been an incredibly clutch performer in postseason play, owning a
.344 career average in 39 playoff games. He hit .366 for the Giants in the
2014 postseason, including .429 in the World Series victory over Kansas City
last month.
By adding Sandoval and Ramirez, who won the NL batting title in 2009 with the
Marlins, the Red Sox are trying to revamp an offense that tied for the
second-worst batting average in the American League last season at .244,
had the second-worst slugging percentage at .369 and scored just 634 runs,
better than only three other teams.
Catcher/first baseman Ryan Lavarnway was designated for assignment to make
room for Sandoval on the 40-man roster. The 27-year-old hit just .201 in 97
games with Boston over the past four seasons.
